ADC, NDC, PDP decry attacks on opposition parties in Enugu

‌The African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned attacks on opposition parties in Enugu State.

They warned that democracy in the state was heading towards anarchy, calling on security agencies and the federal government to intervene and protect opposition politicians and their supporters.

The parties made the condemnation at a joint press conference held at the Press Centre, Enugu, on Monday, following Saturday’s attacks on NDC members at two different locations in the state.

Narrating the incident, NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chinyeaka Ohaa, said he and his supporters were attacked on Saturday while returning from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Mr Ohaa said several of his supporters were injured, while vehicles were damaged and mobile phones belonging to some journalists and party members were seized during the incident.

“When I arrived from the airport on 10 October, I was attacked, and my members who came to welcome me were humiliated,” he said.

He alleged that security operatives prevented his supporters from accessing the airport and subsequently blocked his convoy at different locations.

According to him, the attackers followed his convoy to the party’s campaign office where another attack occurred.

Previous attacks

Mr Ohaa said eight party supporters were injured during an attack a few months ago, including a woman who sustained a gunshot wound to her breast and a man who underwent surgery following injuries to his abdomen.

The NDC candidate urged the state government to investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

Mr Ohaa also urged the state government to allow opposition parties to carry out their legitimate political activities without intimidation.

Similarly, the PDP governorship candidate in Enugu, Uche Nnaji, described the attacks as unacceptable and called for an end to political violence in the state.

Mr Nnaji said opposition parties had come together to express solidarity with the NDC and demanded adequate security for political activities.

“We believe in politics without bitterness. Politics is not a do-or-die affair, and nobody should be harassed or killed because of political differences.

“If you have done something for the state, you do not need to intimidate or kill people for them to see it. You only need to showcase your achievements,” he said.

Mr Nnaji called on security agencies, the federal government, and the international community to pay attention to the political situation in Enugu State.

Also speaking, the ADC governorship candidate in the state, Ocho Obodoeze, expressed solidarity with the NDC over the attacks.

Mr Obodoeze said political violence posed a threat to democracy and should be condemned irrespective of the political affiliation of those affected.

He said his party had suffered similar attacks during a thanksgiving event, when its supporters were chased away, and canopies and chairs were thrown away.

He alleged that the party had also received death threats, which were documented and reported to the State Security Service.

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Mr Obodoeze said the presence of security agencies at the airport should ordinarily guarantee the safety of citizens receiving political leaders and other visitors.

He urged the state government to investigate the allegations rather than dismiss opposition parties’ complaints.

Enugu govt denies involvement

The Enugu State Government, in a media briefing on Sunday, denied involvement in the attack.

The Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, said the airport incident was a matter between the NDC members and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, because due approval was not given to the party—a claim the NDC has rejected.