Three opposition governorship candidates in Enugu State have accused the State Government of witnessing an escalating pattern of political violence, intimidation and restrictions on opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The candidates—Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Ozor Obodoeze Ocho of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—made the allegations in a joint statement issued on Monday, October 12, 2026.
They said their decision to speak jointly was not intended to promote any particular party or candidate but to raise concerns about what they described as threats to peaceful political competition, public safety and the constitutional rights of Enugu residents.
The statement cited reported attacks on PDP ward meetings in Nkanu West, gunfire during the reception of the PDP deputy governorship candidate in Nsukka, the alleged invasion of Nnaji’s campaign office, an attack on an NDC ward meeting at Obuoffia, and the October 10 incidents at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the NDC campaign office in Enugu.
According to the opposition candidates, the incidents, alongside restrictions and fees imposed on political advertising and campaign activities, had created an environment in which opposition parties faced both physical threats and administrative barriers.
“Enugu needs accountability, equal political space and a clear guarantee that ballots—not bullets, bans or bureaucratic barriers—will determine the 2027 election,” the statement said.
Opposition Recounts Alleged Attacks
The candidates alleged that PDP meetings in Akpugo, Obe and Agbani communities in Nkanu West Local Government Area were disrupted by individuals who reportedly assaulted party members, fired gunshots and destroyed canopies, chairs, tables and other property.
They called on security agencies to disclose the status of investigations into the incidents and establish whether any local government security personnel were involved.
On the reported attack on an NDC ward meeting at Obuoffia, the opposition leaders said the party had petitioned security authorities and identified alleged suspects.
They further alleged that a key witness, Chidi S. Ani, was arrested and charged with cyberbullying before being remanded in prison on October 5. They questioned the circumstances surrounding his arrest and called for transparency in the handling of the case.
The candidates also referred to gunfire reportedly heard during the October 3 homecoming reception for PDP deputy governorship candidate Chief Ugwu Chijioke Peter in Nsukka.
They urged authorities to establish who fired the shots, what weapons were used and whether the candidate or his supporters were targeted.
Nnaji, they added, had reported that officials entered his campaign office on Abakaliki Road, removed campaign materials and damaged posters while a legal challenge to the state’s signage policy was pending before the Federal High Court.
The opposition leaders argued that enforcement of advertising regulations should not become a means of destroying political materials or restricting opposition activities.
Candidates Demand Answers Over Airport, Secretariat Incidents
The joint statement devoted considerable attention to the incidents of October 10 involving the NDC at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the party’s campaign office in the GRA area of Enugu.
The opposition candidates said the NDC had paid the necessary airport fee and notified relevant security agencies of its planned activities to welcome Ohaa.
They alleged that the confrontation around the airport involved tear gas, gunfire, assaults on supporters and damage to vehicles. They also claimed that a Signature TV journalist was assaulted and had his phone taken.
The statement identified Umar Abdulkarim, Muhammad Musa and Hassan Gora among individuals reportedly injured in the violence at the NDC campaign office. It also referenced the state government’s account that a 43-year-old man, Ifeanyi Nworie, sustained a gunshot wound.
The candidates called for an independent investigation into the incidents, including an examination of security deployment records, CCTV footage, access logs, weapons and ammunition records, and witness accounts.
They maintained that any disagreement over approval for a political event at the airport should have been handled through lawful and proportionate measures.
“An approval dispute cannot excuse violence,” the statement said, arguing that the question of administrative authorisation should be treated separately from allegations of assault, gunfire and property damage.
The candidates also challenged the state government’s position that the airport incident was primarily a matter involving federal authorities, urging the government to disclose relevant communications with airport operators and security agencies.
Opposition Challenges Campaign Advertising Rules
The three candidates also criticised the state’s political advertising regulations, alleging that the fees and approval requirements placed an excessive burden on opposition parties.
They cited an alleged ₦150 million advertising permit covering campaign rallies, billboards, banners, branded vehicles, handbills, T-shirts, caps and other campaign materials across Enugu’s 17 local government areas.
They further referred to restrictions on unauthorised posters and reported penalties of up to ₦50 million.
While acknowledging that government could regulate advertising to protect public spaces and maintain order, the opposition leaders argued that such regulations must be lawful, proportionate, affordable and applied equally to all political parties.
They said the combined effect of the reported attacks and restrictions could limit the ability of opposition parties to organise meetings, display campaign materials and communicate with voters.
The candidates therefore called for the suspension of what they described as coercive enforcement of the disputed advertising regime against private political premises, pending clarification of the legal issues and compliance with court orders.
Opposition Rejects Government’s Explanation
The statement also criticised a previous response by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who denied government involvement in the October 10 incidents and alleged that some opposition elements were planning to import armed thugs and bandits into Enugu.
The opposition candidates said the government had not presented publicly verifiable evidence to support the allegation and urged it to submit any intelligence in its possession to the police and the Department of State Services for investigation.
They also rejected the argument that the airport confrontation could explain the separate violence reported at Ohaa’s campaign office.
According to them, the government should not declare itself cleared of wrongdoing before the relevant investigations had been completed.
The candidates stressed that their statement did not establish that all the incidents had the same perpetrators or organisers, but argued that the repeated reports of attacks warranted a comprehensive and independent investigation.
Opposition Demands Independent Investigation
The three governorship candidates called on the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent investigation team, drawing substantially from outside the Enugu State Police Command, to examine all the incidents cited in their statement.
They proposed that the police publish an interim report within 14 days, outlining the evidence preserved, witnesses interviewed, suspects identified, arrests made and charges filed, without compromising legitimate investigative processes.
Other demands included the preservation of CCTV footage and security records, forensic examination of weapons and ammunition, medical assistance for injured victims, and protection for witnesses and journalists against intimidation.
They also called for the investigation of any state or local government security personnel who might have been involved in partisan violence, insisting that anyone implicated by credible evidence should face the law regardless of political affiliation or official position.
The candidates urged the state government to clarify the evidence behind its allegation of a plot to import armed groups into Enugu and called on the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association and media organisations to monitor the investigations.
Candidates Propose Political Peace Accord
Despite their allegations, the opposition leaders said they rejected political violence and retaliation, pledging to cooperate with impartial investigations and make relevant evidence available to lawful authorities.
They urged their supporters to remain peaceful, document incidents responsibly and avoid provocation.
The candidates also invited Governor Peter Mbah and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join opposition parties in signing a public peace accord ahead of the 2027 elections.
They said the proposed agreement should provide for equal access to public venues, neutral policing, non-discriminatory campaign regulations, prompt investigation of attacks and accountability for candidates, officials and supporters who sponsor violence.
In their concluding remarks, the opposition leaders maintained that Enugu residents should be able to participate in political activities without fear of intimidation or violence.
They urged security agencies, airport authorities, government institutions and other relevant bodies to act transparently and without political interference, warning that unresolved attacks could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The allegations in the joint statement have not been independently established. The opposition candidates called for investigations, while the Enugu State Government has denied involvement in the incidents and offered a different account of the airport confrontation.