Get Guardian on GoogleMembers of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) have come under attack during a peaceful One Million Man March in Asaba, Delta State, following an alleged assault by armed hoodlums wielding sticks and other dangerous weapons.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday as party supporters marched from Summit Road towards the Interbau Roundabout in Asaba, reportedly left several participants injured, dozens of campaign vehicles destroyed and members of the group fleeing in different directions to escape the violence.
The injured party faithful, The Guardian learnt, are currently receiving medical attention at undisclosed hospitals.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about political intolerance, the safety of opposition groups and the commitment of political actors to peaceful democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Secretary of the Obidient Movement in Delta State, Josiah Omenuwoma, who confirmed the incident, alleged that supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were responsible for the attack.
Omenuwoma, who spoke shortly after the incident, specifically alleged that a man identified as Mr Okafor, whom he described as an operative of the Oshimili North Local Government task force, led the attackers.
According to him, the march was organised peacefully to mobilise support for the NDC, but was disrupted by individuals who allegedly attacked participants and destroyed their vehicles.
“Yes, we were attacked today by APC thugs while we were marching from Summit Road down to Interbau Roundabout.
“One of the persons we identified, one Mr Okafor, an Oshimili North task force man, was identified as the leader of the thugs. They destroyed vehicles and all of that.
“It was a peaceful rally just to campaign, but I wonder, in a democratic setting, why they are not allowing opposition to campaign freely. It is a problem,” he said.
The allegation against the APC supporters and the individual identified as Mr Okafor had yet to be independently established as of the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the development, the Delta State Coordinator of the Ok Movement, Comrade Favour Emerue, condemned the attack, describing it as a criminal assault on members of the movement, its supporters and innocent residents of the state.
Emerue, who expressed concern over the injuries sustained by participants, wished the victims a speedy recovery and insisted that political disagreements should never be settled through violence.
“This was not a clash. This was not a misunderstanding. This was a premeditated, unprovoked and criminal assault on democracy itself,” he declared.
He alleged that the massive turnout, unprecedented solidarity and enthusiasm demonstrated by NDC supporters and participants drawn from the 25 local government areas of Delta State might have unsettled political opponents.
According to him, the inability of political opponents to engage the movement through competing ideas and political programmes should not be an excuse for resorting to intimidation and violence.
Emerue maintained that no amount of political intimidation, thuggery or violence would discourage the movement from participating in the democratic process.
“No amount of intimidation, thuggery or bloodletting can stop a movement whose time has come. The will of the people cannot be macheted into submission,” he said.
He further insisted that despite the attack, the march continued, adding that the determination of the participants remained undiminished.
“The march continued. The spirit remained unbroken. The message resonated louder than their violence,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the NDC has called on the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to order a full-scale, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The party also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to immediately identify and apprehend those responsible for the incident.
It further demanded that anyone found culpable, including alleged sponsors and financiers, should be brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The party specifically called for investigations into alleged offences bordering on attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, unlawful assembly and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The NDC also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations, the media, religious leaders and the international community to pay attention to what it described as a dangerous development capable of undermining democratic participation in the state.
The party maintained that the freedom of political association, peaceful assembly and expression remained fundamental to democratic governance and should be protected irrespective of political affiliation.
It argued that opposition parties must be allowed to organise rallies, mobilise supporters and communicate their political programmes without fear of intimidation or physical attacks.
Responding to the allegations, Chairman of Delta State APC Media and Publicity Committee, and Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and public information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said he was not aware of the attack.
