• ADC condemns attack, police defend tear-gas use
• Kwankwaso, Amnesty demand probe into killing of Kano commentator
• Labour Party asks Tinubu to rein in govs over Obi blockade
• SNG-USA demands independent probe into attack on Obi’s convoy
• NNPP faults blame on Tinubu, urges govs to control supporters
• ‘Obi should apologise to Alia over Yelwata controversy’

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, concerns have continued to emerge over rising tensions, alleged intimidation and violence involving opposition supporters and political commentators, raising questions about the safety of democratic participation across the country.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday condemned the alleged attack on its members in Kaduna State, while the state Police Command said it used tear gas to disperse the party’s supporters after they blocked a major road in the metropolis.

The ADC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the incident as an unacceptable escalation at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 elections were only beginning.

The party called on security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the alleged attack, including anyone who sponsored or organised it.

“Let nobody mistake our commitment to peaceful democratic participation for weakness. No political party has a monopoly on non-state sanctioned violence. Once violence becomes an accepted instrument of political competition, nobody can predict where it ends.

“This is why the security agencies must act now. Those responsible for the attack, as well as anyone who sponsored or organised it, must be identified, arrested and prosecuted,” the statement said.

The party expressed solidarity with its governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru, and members affected by the incident, while calling on the Kaduna State Government to guarantee the safety of opposition parties.

It also vowed to continue its political activities across the state despite the incident.

“If anyone believes intimidation will frighten the ADC off the political field, they have badly miscalculated.

“We will not be intimidated. We will organise, we will campaign, and we will compete in every part of Kaduna State. The 2027 elections must be decided by ideas competing at the ballot box, not by thugs and bruises,” it said.

However, the Kaduna State Police Command said its intervention followed the obstruction of vehicular movement by ADC supporters.

In a statement issued yesterday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police respected citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, but intervened after the protesters blocked a major road.

Hassan said the incident began on September 9, 2026, when the police received a distress call from security personnel attached to Murtala Square that a group of unidentified persons was attempting to forcefully gain entry into the premises.

He said police personnel were deployed to prevent a breach of security and maintain public order.

“On arrival, a large number of persons were observed carrying banners bearing the acronym ADC. The police advised them that anyone intending to hold an event or gain access to Murtala Square was required to follow due process and obtain the necessary authorisation through the management,” he said.

According to Hassan, the police withdrew after the situation appeared to have been brought under control.

He said the group subsequently proceeded along WAFF Road towards the NEPA Roundabout by Ahmadu Bello Way, one of the major and busiest commercial routes in Kaduna metropolis.

Hassan said the protesters blocked the roadway, causing severe traffic congestion and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.

“The obstruction caused frustration between the group, cyclists and motorists, leading to agitation, confrontation, and a breakdown of public order.

“In order to restore normalcy and prevent the situation from escalating further, police personnel intervened and used minimal and proportionate force, including the deployment of tear gas, to disperse the crowd,” he said.

The command said it had never attempted to stop any lawful political gathering or peaceful assembly, adding that the incident at Murtala Square arose from a security situation rather than an attempt to prevent political expression or association.

It urged citizens to exercise their rights responsibly and within the law, particularly by avoiding obstruction of major public roads, threats to public safety and infringement on the rights of other citizens.

The police also urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives about the incident and rely on verified information from the command.

Kwankwaso, Amnesty condemn killing of Kano political commentator
THIS came as the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Amnesty International have condemned the reported killing of social media political commentator, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu, in Kano State.

Dan Shagamu was reportedly found dead in a pool of blood inside his residence in Gaida, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

In separate statements, Kwankwaso and Amnesty International called on the authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible was brought to justice.

Kwankwaso described the killing as deeply disturbing and urged the Kano State Government to immediately constitute an investigative panel to establish the circumstances surrounding Dan Shagamu’s death.

He warned that failure by the authorities to take transparent action would prompt an incoming NDC administration to investigate the matter.

Kwankwaso also called on the state and Federal Governments to protect opposition voices, stressing that freedom of expression was constitutionally guaranteed.

Amnesty International also condemned the reported killing, saying Dan Shagamu was allegedly overpowered by his attackers before he was brutally killed.

“The Nigerian authorities must investigate this incident and ensure that those suspected of responsibility are brought to justice,” the organisation said.

Amnesty added: “In a democracy, outspoken persons or critics are accommodated, listened to, not killed.”

The human rights organisation expressed concern over reports of killings, threats and intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are seriously concerned that the Nigerian Government is doing very little to prevent widespread killings, threats, intimidation and other serious human rights violations — within and outside the context of upcoming elections,” Amnesty said.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the murder.

Labour Party urges Tinubu to rein in govs over attack on Obi
THE Labour Party has urged President Bola Tinubu to rein in state governors, warning that incidents such as the recent attack on Peter Obi and his convoy in Benue State could derail Nigeria’s already wobbling democracy if left unchecked.

In a statement yesterday, the party described the blockade of Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, in Benue State as shameful.

The party said, “Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of movement, and every citizen, irrespective of tribe, political leaning or religion, must be allowed to enjoy that right.”

The LP said it was particularly concerning that a governor who, as the Chief Security Officer of Benue State, “has never been able to arrest and prosecute the criminals ravaging his state” could instead be feasting on a man who was embarking on a humanitarian mission.

It noted: “Political differences should never become a licence for violence, intimidation or the suppression of the fundamental rights of Nigerians. The sanctity of our democracy depends on the ability of every citizen to move freely, express political opinions and participate in public life without fear of harassment or attack.”

The Labour Party said it would continue to condemn attempts to weaponise state power against political opponents and stand for democracy, constitutional rights and the rule of law.

SNG-USA condemns attack, blockade of Obi’s convoy
THE Save Nigeria Group USA (SNG-USA) condemned the reported attack, intimidation and blockade of the convoy of Peter Obi.

In a statement issued in Washington, D.C., the group expressed concern over the incident.

SNG-USA said any attempt to intimidate, obstruct, threaten or physically confront a presidential candidate during a peaceful public engagement was disturbing and unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.

The group also expressed concern over allegations that individuals associated with political actors or government officials might have mobilised youths to obstruct Obi’s movement.

It said Obi had alleged at the scene that the youths were mobilised by a Special Assistant to the state government, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and said it was unaware of the presidential candidate’s visit.

SNG-USA said it did not presume the guilt of any individual or government official, but added that the conflicting accounts made a prompt, transparent, impartial and credible investigation necessary.

It called on the authorities to establish who organised and mobilised the individuals who blocked the convoy, whether political actors or public officials were involved, whether weapons or dangerous objects were carried or used, and whether security personnel at the scene acted appropriately.

The group also urged the authorities to determine whether anyone threatened, assaulted or attempted to harm Obi or members of his entourage and whether the incident was politically motivated.

It said the Benue State Police Command had reportedly commenced an investigation, while police authorities had indicated that the motive behind the blockade had yet to be established.

SNG-USA urged the authorities to conduct the investigation independently and make its findings public.

NNPP: Stop blaming Tinubu for govs’ actions
THE New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) urged Nigerians to stop blaming President Bola Tinubu for negative actions by some governors and individuals, saying those responsible should be held accountable for their conduct.

The party’s National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi, made the call in a statement yesterday following the controversy over the alleged prevention of Peter Obi from visiting displaced persons in Benue State.

Olaposi said that while it was wrong to prevent any Nigerian from freely entering a state, it was equally wrong to blame the incident on the ruling party and the Presidency.

“If we must get things right in Nigeria, there is a need to stop misleading information, especially for the younger generation,” he said.

He urged party members and governors to exercise restraint as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, saying some actions were taken without directives from their parties or leadership.

“Governors should, especially in this season, rein in their supporters and also take the blame for their own actions or inactions.

“When some things happen like what took place in Benue, the governor should not delay by allowing Nigerians and the global world to speculate. It pulls the nation’s ranking down.

“It is sad that most Nigerians blame every negative occurrence on the President. This is a narrative that must change. People involved in certain behaviours must be held accountable for it, even if they feel they are doing it on behalf of a leader, who never sent them to do so,” Olaposi said.

He said the President had been blamed for mistakes by leaders in different parts of the country, adding that such attribution was inappropriate.

Tarzoor urges Obi to apologise to Benue gov over Yelwata controversy
THE Benue State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Terhemen Tarzoor, urged Peter Obi to apologise to Governor Hyacinth Alia over the controversy surrounding his reported inability to visit Yelwata in the state.

Tarzoor also dismissed allegations of President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the incident, saying the President was focused on delivering dividends to Nigerians and should not be dragged into the controversy.

The former Ambassador of Nigeria to Namibia, who was responding to allegations that Obi was prevented from accessing the state, said the former Anambra State governor had several channels through which he could have reached Alia instead of allowing the situation to degenerate into a political controversy.

He said it was inappropriate to suggest that Obi could not reach the governor.

“The governor is not in the moon. He is here in Benue State, and he can even get to the governor through the religious apparatus; being a Knight and a very senior Knight for that matter. He knows the proper channel.”

Tarzoor also cautioned political actors against rhetoric capable of heightening tension, saying, “If you are playing the music of violence, then you expect people who are violent to dance to that music.”

He said he would advise Obi to apologise to Alia and improve communication with the state government if given the opportunity.

“He should be fair to the governor of Benue State and do the needful. He went to Plateau State, and of course there was communication. So what’s stopping him from communicating to the governor of Benue State?” he asked.