The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned what it described as a violent attack on the convoy of its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in Calabar, Cross River State.
In a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the NDC National Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party said the attack was unacceptable and must not become the price for participating in Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to the party, the Calabar incident is not an isolated case. It recalled a similar disturbing incident in Benue State, where Obi’s convoy, while travelling along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway near the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi, ran into a roadblock allegedly mounted by a mob.
The party said one of the cars in the convoy was ambushed, but thankfully, no member of Obi’s delegation was injured.
The NDC insisted that every Nigerian has the right to campaign, associate and participate in politics without fear of violence.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and every Nigerian has the right to campaign, associate and participate in politics without fear of violence,” the statement read.
The party called on the relevant authorities, particularly the Cross River State Government and security agencies in the state, to act decisively by investigating the attack, identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.
It warned that authorities must not look the other way or conduct themselves in ways that suggest tolerance or complicity in political violence.
“Silence and inaction only embolden perpetrators,” the NDC stated.
Despite the attacks, the party vowed that it would not be intimidated, silenced or deterred by violence.
“Let it be clearly understood: NDC will not be intimidated, silenced or deterred by violence. No one should imagine that power can be seized through threats, intimidation and attacks rather than earned through the democratic will of the people,” Ikokwu said.
The party described the election as crucial for Nigeria and stressed that the country’s democracy must not be held hostage by political violence.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies in Cross River State were yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
