2027 Election: Obidient Movement Raises Alarm Over Political Attacks
Concerns over the security of Nigeria’s 2027 election campaigns are mounting following allegations of attacks on opposition supporters, with the Obidient Movement warning that continued political violence could trigger dangerous confrontations across the country.
The movement raised the alarm following a reported attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and other participants during a One Million Man March in Warri, Delta State, on Friday.
In a statement issued after the incident, the Obidient Movement accused suspected political thugs allegedly linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of targeting opposition supporters and attempting to restrict their democratic rights.
The APC had not been quoted as responding to the latest allegation at the time of the report.
The development has added another dimension to concerns over political intolerance as parties and their supporters intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the Obidient Movement, Nigerians have constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, political participation and support for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or physical attacks.
The group said its supporters would not initiate violence but warned that they would no longer remain passive when attacked.
It declared that future attacks would be resisted, saying supporters were prepared to employ lawful resistance, mass mobilisation and self-defence to protect themselves.
The movement, however, acknowledged that retaliatory violence could push the country towards anarchy, underscoring the growing concern over the consequences of unresolved political attacks.
It also linked the Warri incident to other reported cases of violence involving opposition political activities.
Among the incidents cited was an earlier allegation by NDC Delta Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, that armed men attacked his convoy in Delta State and injured six party members. The APC denied involvement in that incident.
The movement further referred to a reported September 12 attack on an NDC ward meeting and voter-sensitisation programme at Ihuani Awkunanaw in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, where eight people were reportedly shot.
It expressed concern that repeated incidents could create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation as the election season gathers momentum.
Security agencies also came under scrutiny, with the movement calling on them to demonstrate neutrality and ensure adequate protection for Nigerians participating in lawful political activities.
The warning comes amid broader concerns about inflammatory political rhetoric ahead of the elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and candidates against threatening, abusive or inflammatory campaign language capable of provoking violence or intimidating voters, opponents and electoral officials.
With political activities expected to intensify across the country, the latest controversy places renewed attention on the responsibility of political parties, their supporters and security agencies to prevent campaign activities from degenerating into violence.
The Obidient Movement maintained that Nigeria’s political contest must ultimately be determined through the ballot box rather than intimidation on the streets.
The emerging challenge for stakeholders ahead of 2027 will therefore be ensuring that political disagreements remain within democratic and legal boundaries while security agencies protect the rights of supporters of all parties to campaign and assemble peacefully.
