Obidients Question Police Neutrality as Alleged Political Attacks Spread Across Four States

The safety of opposition campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections has come under fresh scrutiny following allegations by the Obidient Movement that political intimidation and attacks have been reported in four states.
The movement accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and security agencies of failing to ensure that opposition supporters could organise, campaign and express their political views without fear.
In a statement on Monday, signed by Onyeka Dike for its Media and Communications Directorate, the group cited reported incidents in Enugu, Edo, Delta and Benue states, warning that unresolved allegations of political violence could weaken confidence in the electoral process.
Rather than treating the incidents as isolated disputes between political groups, the movement said they raised broader questions about the protection of citizens exercising their democratic rights.
Its concerns come as political parties and their supporters prepare for the 2027 elections, when rallies, defections, campaign activities and grassroots mobilisation are expected to intensify.
In Enugu State, the movement alleged that suspected armed political thugs disrupted activities of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) over the weekend, with gunshots reportedly fired.
It said several supporters were injured and a fatality was reportedly recorded, adding that the attackers allegedly followed NDC supporters from the airport to the party’s campaign office.
The group also cited footage published by Premium Times, which it said showed a uniformed security operative standing by while a supporter was assaulted.
The movement argued that the circumstances surrounding the incident required investigation to establish what happened and whether security personnel discharged their duties appropriately.
It also alleged that suspects arrested over an attack on NDC members in Enugu on September 12, 2026, were released by the police, while the person who recorded and reported the incident was arrested.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the police had not responded at the time of filing this report.
The movement challenged the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to ensure that officers handled political violence complaints without favouring any party.
In Edo State, it accused APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe of threatening to use AK-47 rifles against anyone standing in the way of the party’s target of 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu.
It alleged that security agencies failed to respond adequately to the reported threat.
In Delta State, the movement claimed that a business belonging to an NDC member was sealed after a reported peaceful pro-NDC march.
It further alleged that Sochi Okolo, an NDC member and member of the Victor Ochei Campaign Council, was taken from his home and detained following his defection from the APC to the NDC.
Okolo was identified as a former senior media aide to the Executive Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Area.
In Benue State, the group called for a thorough investigation into the reported attack and subsequent death of Igbu Terhemen, chairman of the NDC Fiidi Ward Council.
The movement alleged that the incident formed part of a wider pattern of attacks against its members in the state.
It warned that if political supporters could not campaign freely or trust security agencies to respond impartially to complaints, the consequences could extend beyond individual party disputes.
The group also recalled warnings by the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against Nigeria sliding into anarchy.
It urged political leaders to discourage intimidation, while calling on security agencies to investigate reported threats and attacks and prosecute suspects where evidence supports criminal charges.
The movement advised its members to document threats, report incidents to the appropriate authorities and protect themselves through lawful means.
“The APC must understand that Nigeria is not its private property. No party has the right to threaten citizens into submission, and no security agency has the right to look away while Nigerians are attacked,” the statement said.
The movement warned that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend not only on the conduct of voting but also on whether citizens could participate in the political process without intimidation.
The APC and the security agencies had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.