A wave of national outrage followed a violent attack on Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his supporters in Calabar. The incident occurred on Wednesday in the Cross River State capital, shortly after Obi arrived for the party's presidential town hall meeting at Metropolitan Hotel.
According to sources, the convoy was moving through the metropolis amid cheers from supporters when suspected political thugs ambushed it around the popular Watt Market area, hurling stones, bottles and other objects at the vehicles and supporters. The attack threw the area into panic as supporters scampered for safety, while vehicular movement and commercial activities were disrupted.
Several NDC supporters were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident, while vehicles and other valuables were reportedly destroyed. Some of the vehicles in the convoy were also reportedly damaged, with their windscreens shattered. Men of the Cross River State Police Command swiftly intervened, dispersing the attackers and restoring order to the area.
The police arrested one suspect in connection with the attack, identified as Victor Edet Yellow-Duke, 27. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations had commenced to identify those behind the attack and their sponsors.
Despite the attack, Obi later proceeded to the venue of the town hall meeting, where he was expected to address party supporters and stakeholders in Cross River State. Obi condemned the attack on his campaign convoy by suspected thugs, assuring supporters that political violence would not be allowed to undermine the 2027 general election.
A viral 30-second video of the incident showed some of the attackers, mostly dressed in black shirts, fez caps and face coverings, using machetes to damage vehicles in the convoy. One of Obi's media aides, Esther Umoh, had raised the alarm in a post on her official X account, sharing a video showing a victim with a gunshot injury to the leg being evacuated from the scene.
Speaking at the town hall meeting, Obi recounted how he witnessed the attack and said his security team advised him to take another route after the assailants allegedly armed themselves with machetes and other weapons. Obi stated that such incidents would not be allowed in 2027, emphasizing his commitment to a peaceful election process.
Key points
- Peter Obi condemns the attack on his convoy and vows to prevent such incidents in the 2027 general election.
- One suspect, Victor Edet Yellow-Duke, 27, was arrested in connection with the attack on Obi's convoy.
- The incident sparked national outrage, with many condemning the use of violence in political campaigns.
