Delta attack: Obi demands justice for NDC, Obidient members

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for an investigation into the attack on members of his party and the Obidient Movement in Delta State, demanding that those responsible be brought to justice.

Obi condemned the violence in a post on X on Sunday, describing the incidents as disturbing and saying the victims were only exercising their democratic rights.

He urged the government and security agencies to investigate the attacks, identify the perpetrators and ensure they are prosecuted, regardless of their political affiliations.

“Political violence has no place in a democracy and can never be justified. No political aspiration is worth the life of a Nigerian, and no dispute should be resolved through intimidation, physical attacks, or the destruction of property,” he said.

The NDC candidate also warned against using violence and intimidation to gain political influence, arguing that political authority should be earned through persuasion and the trust of voters.

Obi said the NDC and the Obidient Movement would not be intimidated by the attacks, insisting that their response would remain peaceful and lawful.

He also called for the protection of party members and expressed solidarity with those affected.

“Every Nigerian is entitled to organise, gather, express their views, and freely elect their leaders,” he said.

His reaction followed an attack on a political rally organised by NDC supporters in Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday. One person was reportedly killed, while five others sustained injuries after suspected thugs attacked the procession.

The rally was organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of Obi’s presidential ambition. The incident occurred along Nnebisi Road.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the incident and said it had begun an investigation to establish what happened and identify those responsible.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said the police had received intelligence suggesting the possibility of violence before the rally and had invited the organisers to a security meeting.