By Gabriel Elozino
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the attack on its members, supporters and innocent residents during its one million-man march in Asaba, the Delta State capital, describing the incident as an attack on democracy and a threat to the freedom of political participation.
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Key Highlights
- The NDC says armed hoodlums attacked its one million-man march in Asaba on Saturday.
- The party says dozens of campaign vehicles were vandalised and several supporters suffered knife and machete wounds.
- It wants Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order an impartial investigation.
- The NDC urged the IGP, DSS and NSCDC to arrest the attackers and their alleged sponsors.
- The party told supporters not to retaliate and vowed to pursue legal action.
The party said the attack, which disrupted its peaceful march on Saturday, is an assault on the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freedom of assembly, association and political participation, warning that violence and intimidation must not be allowed to undermine the country’s democratic process.
In a statement issued by the Ochei Media Team, the NDC said the march, which attracted supporters from across the 25 local government areas of Delta State, began as a peaceful and orderly demonstration of political support before armed hoodlums wielding sticks, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons allegedly disrupted the exercise.
The party disclosed that dozens of campaign vehicles were vandalised, while several supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries from knife and machete attacks.
“This was not a clash”
Describing the incident as a premeditated assault on democracy, the NDC declared: “This was not a clash. This was not a misunderstanding. This was a premeditated, unprovoked and criminal assault on democracy itself.”
It argued that every political party, irrespective of whether it belongs to the ruling party or opposition, must be allowed to exercise its constitutional rights without intimidation, harassment or fear of violence.
According to the statement, the massive turnout and enthusiasm displayed by supporters during the march has demonstrated the growing political strength of the party, alleging that those unable to challenge its popularity through democratic competition had resorted to violence.
“The unprecedented solidarity, massive turnout and organic enthusiasm displayed by NDC supporters and Deltans from across the 25 local government areas during the march has clearly sent shockwaves through the opposition camp.
“Unable to match our ideas, our message and our momentum at the ballot box, they have resorted to the crudest weapon of the politically bankrupt: violence,” the party stated.
The NDC insisted that the attack would not deter it from participating in the democratic process, stressing that the determination of the people to make their political choices must not be suppressed through violence.
NDC demands probe, arrest of attackers
It called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order a full-scale, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.
The party also urged the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack, including their alleged sponsors and financiers, and ensure their prosecution.
It said those involved should be made to answer for alleged offences including attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The party further reminded security agencies of their constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of citizens, insisting that political activities must be conducted in an atmosphere of safety and freedom.
“We remind security agencies of their constitutional duty under Section 14(2)(b) of the constitution that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“Every political party, whether in government or opposition, has an inalienable right to campaign freely without intimidation, harassment or fear of attack,” it said.
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The NDC vowed to pursue all available legal avenues to ensure justice for its injured members and hold those responsible accountable, adding that it would document the incident, petition relevant authorities and institute legal proceedings where necessary.
Party urges supporters not to retaliate
Despite the attack, the party reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful, issue-based and people-centred campaigns, urging its supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
It specifically cautioned them against retaliation, insisting that the appropriate response to political intimidation should be through the ballot box.
“Do not retaliate. Do not be provoked. Let our response be at the polling unit, with our Permanent Voter Cards, with our voices, and with our votes,” the statement added.
The party also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations, the media, religious leaders and the international community to condemn political violence and hold all actors accountable.
It maintained that democracy could only flourish where opposing political views were tolerated and all political parties were guaranteed the freedom to organise, mobilise and campaign without fear.
The NDC concluded that an attack on one political party was an attack on all political parties and democracy itself.
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