Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned an attack on members and coordinators of the party and the Obidient Movement in Delta State, which left one person dead and five others injured.
Obi, in a post on X on Sunday, described the reported incidents of violence as disturbing, saying those affected were exercising their democratic rights.
He called on the government and security agencies to investigate the attacks, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“Political violence has no place in a democracy and can never be justified. No political aspiration is worth the life of a Nigerian, and no dispute should be resolved through intimidation, physical attacks, or the destruction of property,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate cautioned against the use of intimidation and physical attacks to gain political influence, stressing that political authority should be earned through persuasion and the trust of the electorate.
He also said the party and the Obidient Movement would not be intimidated or silenced by the incidents, adding that their response would remain peaceful and lawful.
Obi called for adequate protection for party members and expressed solidarity with those affected by the attack.
“Every Nigerian is entitled to organise, gather, express their views, and freely elect their leaders,” he said.
One killed, five injured in Asaba rally attack
The condemnation followed an attack on a political rally organised by supporters of the NDC in Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday, which reportedly left one person dead and five others injured.
The incident occurred along Nnebisi Road during a procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of Obi’s presidential ambition.
The Delta State Police Command said it had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
Bright Edafe, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement that the police had received intelligence indicating the possibility of violence ahead of the rally.
According to the command, the organisers were subsequently invited to a security meeting over the threat.
The police said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances of the attack.
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