The African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have jointly condemned attacks on opposition parties in Enugu State. At a press conference held on Monday at the Press Centre in Enugu, the parties expressed concern that democracy in the state was heading towards anarchy. They called on security agencies and the federal government to intervene and protect opposition politicians and their supporters.
The NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chinyeaka Ohaa, narrated the incident where he and his supporters were attacked on Saturday while returning from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. Several of his supporters were injured, vehicles were damaged, and mobile phones belonging to journalists and party members were seized. Mr. Ohaa alleged that security operatives prevented his supporters from accessing the airport and blocked his convoy at different locations.
This is not the first attack on NDC members in Enugu State. Mr. Ohaa revealed that eight party supporters were injured in an attack a few months ago, including a woman who sustained a gunshot wound to her breast and a man who underwent surgery for injuries to his abdomen. He urged the state government to investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The PDP governorship candidate in Enugu, Uche Nnaji, described the attacks as unacceptable and called for an end to political violence in the state. He emphasized that opposition parties had come together to express solidarity with the NDC and demanded adequate security for political activities. Mr. Nnaji stressed that politics should be without bitterness and that nobody should be harassed or killed due to political differences.
The ADC governorship candidate in Enugu, Ocho Obodoeze, expressed solidarity with the NDC over the attacks. He stated that political violence posed a threat to democracy and should be condemned irrespective of the political affiliation of those affected. Mr. Obodoeze revealed that his party had also suffered similar attacks and received death threats, which were documented and reported to the State Security Service.
In response to the allegations, the Enugu State Government denied involvement in the attack. The Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, claimed that the airport incident was a matter between the NDC members and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, due to a lack of approval for the party's event. However, the NDC has rejected this claim.
The opposition parties have called on the state government, security agencies, and the international community to pay attention to the political situation in Enugu State. They emphasized the need for adequate security for political activities and an end to political violence. The parties are demanding that those responsible for the attacks be brought to justice and that opposition parties be allowed to carry out their legitimate political activities without intimidation.
Key points
- Three opposition parties in Enugu State have condemned attacks on their members, warning of deteriorating democracy.
- The parties have called for an end to political violence and adequate security for political activities.
- The Enugu State Government has denied involvement in the attacks, sparking a dispute with the opposition parties.
