Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, were entitled to personal safety, freedom of association and the right to participate in lawful political activities without intimidation
By Moses Okorie
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns over the alleged invasion of a gathering of its supporters in Ikeja, Lagos State, condemning what it described as growing incidents of political intimidation and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s concerns followed reports of the alleged disruption of a gathering of NDC supporters in Ikeja on Thursday, November 12, 2026, as well as the destruction of the Lagos Town Hall.
The National Coordinator of the Global Obidient Movement, Dr Moses Paul, who condemned the reported incidents, said attacks on citizens because of their political affiliations or participation in lawful political activities were unacceptable.
In a statement, Paul also cited reports of attacks on members of the Obidient Movement and other political supporters in Delta State, where vehicles were allegedly vandalised and several people assaulted and injured.
He further recalled an earlier reported attack on an NDC/Obidient procession in Asaba, Delta State, during which more than 30 vehicles were allegedly vandalised, several people injured and one person reportedly killed.
Paul said the incidents should not be dismissed as ordinary political disagreements, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the reported attacks and those responsible must be established through impartial investigations.
He stressed that Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, were entitled to personal safety, freedom of association and the right to participate in lawful political activities without intimidation.
The Global Obidient Movement coordinator called for an immediate and independent investigation into the reported incidents in Lagos and Delta states.
He also demanded the identification and prosecution of anyone found culpable, including individuals who may have organised, financed or sponsored the alleged attacks.
Additionally, Paul urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for political gatherings across the country, irrespective of the political parties involved.
He called on the relevant police commands and security agencies to publicly account for the measures being taken to prevent further incidents of political violence.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force must take reports of political intimidation seriously and ensure that arrests and prosecutions are based on credible evidence rather than political considerations.
Paul warned that Nigeria must not allow political thuggery, intimidation and destruction of property to become normal features of the country’s political process as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives and that no political party had exclusive ownership of the country.
He, however, urged supporters of the affected political groups to remain peaceful, reject retaliation and pursue justice through lawful and constitutional means.
Paul said the democratic process must be protected from violence, stressing that the ballot should remain more powerful than the bullet.
He signed the statement as National Coordinator of the Global Obidient Movement.
The allegations surrounding the reported incidents had yet to be independently established, while no response from the police or those accused of involvement was contained in the statement.