The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the attack on members and coordinators of the party and the Obidient Movement in Delta State.
He particularly described the incident as a disturbing threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi expressed sadness over the attack, which occurred on Saturday, November 7, during an NDC political rally in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The incident reportedly left several members of the movement injured, including the Delta State Deputy Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, identified simply as Comrade Noah, who was stabbed with daggers and is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC).
In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, Obi condemned the violence, insisting that political disagreements should never be settled through intimidation or physical attacks.
He said no political ambition was worth the life of a Nigerian, adding that political authority should be secured through persuasion and the confidence of the electorate rather than fear and violence.
The former Anambra State governor called on the government and security agencies to launch an immediate investigation into the incident, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Obi also maintained that the attack would not discourage him and his supporters from participating in democratic activities.
“We will not be intimidated or silenced, nor will we relinquish our democratic space to violence. Our response will remain peaceful, lawful, and determined,” he stated.
He further stressed that every Nigerian had the right to organise, participate in political activities, express opinions and freely elect their preferred leaders without fear of intimidation.
The NDC presidential candidate said Nigeria needed constructive ideas, responsible leadership and democratic competition rather than political violence.
He also expressed solidarity with those affected by the attack, calling for a country founded on justice, liberty, peace and respect for the dignity of citizens.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Global Obidient Movement, Dr Mo, had earlier condemned the attack, describing it as another indication of the growing threat of political violence and intimidation in the country.
In a statement, Dr Mo disclosed that Comrade Noah was stabbed with daggers during the incident, while several other members sustained injuries.
“They hit us with daggers!” he said.
He also raised concerns about the country’s political atmosphere, questioning the consequences of inflammatory statements and alleged threats against opposition members by some political leaders.
Dr Mo specifically referenced alleged threats by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains involving AK-47 rifles, inflammatory comments attributed to serving senators and remarks by political leaders about driving opposition members out of their states.
“When a President makes statements suggesting that all is fair in politics, what message does that send?” he asked.
“When APC chieftains openly threaten opponents with AK-47s, when serving senators make inflammatory statements against the opposition, and when political leaders talk about driving opposition members out of their states, what do we expect?
“This is how political violence is normalised. This is how intimidation becomes acceptable, and how a nation slides towards anarchy.”
According to him, statements made by political leaders could encourage hostility among their supporters and create an environment where opposition members become targets of physical attacks.
“Words from people in power carry consequences. When political leaders legitimise aggression, their followers may interpret it as permission to attack, intimidate, destroy and even kill,” he said.
The group called for an immediate investigation into the attack and demanded that those responsible be identified and prosecuted.
It also called for accountability over the injuries sustained by Noah and other victims, insisting that Nigerians must be able to participate in political activities without fear of violence.
“Democracy is not warfare. Opposition is not a crime. Political competition is not a licence to murder,” Dr Mo stated.
He added: “Nigeria must not become a country where the price of participating in democracy is a dagger in the stomach or a bullet in the chest.”
The group reiterated its opposition to political violence, declaring that no political ambition was worth the loss of a Nigerian life.
“Enough is enough! No political ambition is worth a single Nigerian life,” he said.
