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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has released the names of eight of its members who it said sustained gunshot injuries when suspected political thugs attacked its monthly ward meeting at Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The victims identified by the party are Onovo Donald Ekene, Ngene Godwin Madueke, Ogbodo Gloria, Onovo Victor, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nnaemeka Nelson, Chinonso Nwagbara and Obinna Daniel Owo.
The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday afternoon at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuofia, the ancestral home of the Awkunanaw people and hometown of the NDC governorship candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.
The gathering was said to be in progress, with members chanting that the NDC was for the South-East, shortly before the attackers arrived and allegedly opened fire.
The Enugu State Police Command later confirmed that an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia was disrupted by armed hoodlums who allegedly fired sporadically, injuring two attendees.
The command also confirmed a separate attack on a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally at St Joseph Primary School, Agbani, also in Nkanu West, where hoodlums reportedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for the event.
Following the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to “thoroughly investigate” the attacks and ensure that those responsible were brought to book.
The police said its operatives were immediately deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents, in a bid to prevent further breaches and track down fleeing suspects.
The command, however, noted that there had been “no prior notification or request for police security coverage for either gathering”.
Reacting to the attack, Ohaa vowed that the NDC would not be intimidated or forced out of the 2027 electoral process.
“The entire NDC family in Enugu State remains undeterred. We will not be intimidated. We will not abandon our people,” Ohaa said.
He added: “We will continue our peaceful and issue-based campaign until the will of Ndi Enugu prevails in 2027.”
The NDC governorship candidate also demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack.
The party condemned the incident as an alleged violation of the constitutional rights of citizens to life and peaceful association, citing sections 33 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
The latest development comes amid growing political activities in Enugu ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties stepping up meetings, mobilisation and other grassroots engagements across the state.
