NDC seeks international sanctions over alleged political violence in Enugu

The Enugu state chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for international sanctions against individuals who may be found responsible for alleged political violence in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party made the demand in an open petition addressed to the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), INTERPOL and several international organizations over the alleged attack on its ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

The NDC specifically appealed to the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, African Union, ECOWAS, Commonwealth Secretariat and United Nations human-rights authorities to monitor the situation and impose visa restrictions, travel bans or other appropriate measures against persons found to have participated in political violence.

The petition followed an alleged armed disruption of the party’s ward meeting in Obuoffia, the home ward of its governorship candidate, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa.

The party alleged that several members were injured during the incident, naming its Ward Chairman, Madueke Ngene; Youth Leader, Maduka Ngene; community member, Victor Onovo; and Councillor Donald Onovo among those affected.

The NDC described the incident as an attack on political participation and called for an independent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those responsible.

It alleged that a man identified as Odogwu, whom it described as a Senior Special Assistant to the Nkanu West Local Government Chairman, Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo, led the attack.

The party also made allegations concerning the conduct of the council chairman, claiming that after a suspect was questioned by security operatives, the chairman went to the airport to welcome the suspects and took photographs with them.

The NDC described the alleged conduct as a “public display of solidarity with violence” and urged security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the claim.

The party further alleged that the Obuoffia incident was part of a wider pattern of disruption of opposition activities, citing alleged attacks on PDP gatherings in Akpugo and Obe.

It said the allegations should be investigated rather than treated as political disputes, stressing that disagreements between political parties should be resolved through democratic processes.

The NDC urged the Inspector-General of Police, DSS and INTERPOL to conduct an immediate and independent investigation and prosecute anyone found culpable.

It also appealed to the international bodies to monitor political developments in Enugu and take appropriate measures against individuals found to have sponsored or participated in violence.

The party warned that further attacks on opposition members would undermine democratic participation and create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the allegations against the individuals named by the NDC have not been independently established. The Enugu State Police Command separately confirmed that armed hoodlums disrupted an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia, with sporadic shooting that injured two attendees, and ordered an investigation into the incident.

The NDC said Ohaa, who is currently abroad on an official trip, remained committed to democratic participation despite the alleged attack.

According to the party, the candidate said, “authority is built on public trust and service, not fear.”

The NDC State Secretary, Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel, also warned against further escalation of political violence, saying, “No individual or political faction has a monopoly of violence.”

He called for justice, accountability and protection for opposition members and political gatherings across Enugu State.