Leaders of opposition parties at the press conference in Enugu on Monday
A tense political atmosphere has literally enveloped Enugu State as major political stakeholders, candidates, and multi-party coalitions vehemently condemned an increasing spread of political violence, targeted office raids, and intimidation directed at opposition parties.
NewsBits learnt that the opposition parties that came together to form the coalition included the NDC, ADC, LP, APGA, and PDP. Addressing a joint press conference in Enugu on Monday, opposition leaders chronicled a disturbing pattern of hostility across the state:
AIRPORT CHAOS: Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa recalled how supporters welcoming him at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport were tear-gassed and attacked by thugs, resulting in smashed vehicles, confiscated journalists’ phones, and severe injuries.
BRUTAL ASSAULTS: The violence extended to armed raids on campaign offices and opposition strongholds, leaving multiple victims with gunshot wounds and grave internal trauma requiring emergency surgery—including an incident where over 15 people were shot at an NDC senatorial candidate’s stronghold.
SYSTEMIC HARASSMENT: African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship Candidate Chief Ocho Obodoeze highlighted prior documented attacks on party gatherings, warning that projectiles and intimidation threaten democratic peace. Ohaa also bemoaned the unlawful arrest of a citizen who live-streamed the airport violence while actual perpetrators roam free.
A UNIFIED FRONT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY: In response to the crisis, a coalition of major political parties—uniting leaders from the PDP, ADC, Labour Party, and APGA, spearheaded by figures like PDP governorship candidate Wakibiah Uche Nnaji—stepped forward in solidarity.
The coalition stressed that politics must not be a “do-or-die” affair and firmly distanced national leadership and major platforms from the aggression. Rejecting official excuses from state authorities, the coalition and candidates like Obodoeze Ocho issued strong demands for federal security agencies and the international community to beam a searchlight on Enugu State, arrest known perpetrators, and guarantee the protection of law-abiding citizens.
Regardless of what they regarded as “state-sponsored aggression, the opposition remains resolute in running peaceful, issue-based campaigns,” declaring that democratic participation and public safety must be restored to the capital of Igboland, NewsBits learnt.
