The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on security agencies to investigate alleged attacks, intimidation and harassment of opposition supporters across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party accused individuals allegedly linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of involvement in incidents it said had threatened political activities in the state’s three senatorial districts.
Addressing journalists in Benin City, the Edo State Director-General of the Obi/Kwankwaso Campaign Organisation, John Yakubu, claimed that the incidents had occurred over the preceding six weeks.
He listed alleged unlawful arrests, threats against opposition supporters, disruption of political meetings and destruction of campaign materials among the complaints requiring investigation.
Yakubu also alleged that NDC billboards and posters had been vandalised in Edo North, Central and South.
In one incident, he claimed, the NDC portion of a billboard shared with the APC was defaced while the ruling party’s section remained untouched.
The party further alleged that traditional leaders, youth organisations and market associations had faced pressure to avoid opposition activities.
It also called for an investigation into reported gunfire at a gathering of African Democratic Congress members in Igueben, where some participants were allegedly injured.
Yakubu said the allegations raised concerns about citizens’ ability to exercise their political rights without intimidation.
“Public office confers a duty to serve and never a licence to intimidate,” he stated.
The NDC also requested an investigation into remarks attributed to Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe concerning the alleged use of AK-47 rifles against opposition members during the 2027 elections.
Yakubu said authorities should establish what was said, examine the context and determine whether any law had been violated.
He urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to publicly reaffirm the right of opposition parties to organise peaceful political activities.
The party also demanded impartial investigations by the police and other security agencies, insisting that complaints involving political officeholders should receive appropriate scrutiny.
Speaking separately, the South-South spokesman of the campaign organisation, Professor Isaiah Osifo, criticised the state government’s handling of political tensions.
Osifo contrasted the present allegations with previous elections in which Okpebholo and former governor Adams Oshiomhole campaigned as opposition candidates.
He argued that political opponents should enjoy the same freedom to campaign peacefully and urged Oshiomhole to condemn any confirmed acts of violence.
Yakubu, meanwhile, advised NDC supporters to remain peaceful, document alleged incidents and report threats through lawful channels.
The party said it would pursue available legal measures to protect its members and seek accountability.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the APC’s response was unavailable at the time of the original report.
Attempts to contact the party’s state publicity secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, were unsuccessful, as repeated telephone calls reportedly failed to connect.
Ezeana Emmanuel
