NDC calls for 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 held responsible for alleged political violence in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party made the claim 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 neighborhood meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

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

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

The party said several members were injured during the incident, naming the constituency chairperson, Madueke Ngene; Youth leader, Maduka Ngene; community member, Victor Onovo; and Councilman 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 of the shooting and identify those responsible.

He said a man identified as Odogwu, who he described as a Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government, Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo, led the attack.

The party also made allegations regarding the prime minister’s conduct, alleging that after a suspect was questioned by security agents, the president 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 complaint.

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

He 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, the DSS and INTERPOL to conduct an immediate and independent investigation and prosecute anyone found guilty.

He also appealed to international bodies to monitor political developments in Enugu and take appropriate action against persons found to have sponsored or participated in the violence.

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

However, the charges against the NDC appointees have not been independently established. The Enugu State Police Command has separately confirmed that armed hoodlums disrupted an NDC ward meeting in Ndiuno-Obuoffia, with sporadic shooting wounding two participants, and has 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 based on trust and public service, not on 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 on violence.”

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