Francis Dufugha
By Our Correspondent
Political tension has heightened in Delta State following an attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a One Million Man March in Asaba, the state capital, on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The attack, which reportedly left several participants injured and more than 30 campaign buses destroyed, occurred during a political procession organised in support of the presidential ambition of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The incident reportedly involved suspected political thugs armed with sticks, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons, who disrupted the procession and attacked participants.
The development came days after a similar disruption of the Obi-Kwankwaso movement’s political rally in Effurun, Delta State, raising concerns over the safety of opposition political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Campaign vehicles bearing photographs of Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and the NDC candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, Victor Ochei, were reportedly vandalised during the attack.
Video footage from the scene also showed some of the suspected attackers being apprehended and assaulted by an angry crowd during the ensuing confusion.
Reacting to the incident, Victor Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order an immediate investigation into the attack and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.
Ochei condemned the incident, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had resorted to intimidation rather than engaging the opposition in issue-based political campaigns.
He questioned why any political party that believed in its achievements would resort to violence against political opponents instead of presenting its records and programmes to the electorate.
The former Speaker alleged that more than 30 campaign buses were destroyed by the attackers, who he claimed were allegedly led by commercial tricycle operators under the supervision of an official of the state task force responsible for commercial tricycle operations.
He urged Governor Oborevwori to call members of the APC to order, warning that Delta State should not be turned into a theatre of political violence and bloodshed.
Also speaking, the Delta State Coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and one of the organisers of the march, Favour Emerue, said the procession was peaceful until suspected hoodlums invaded and disrupted the gathering.
Emerue disclosed that some participants sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention in hospitals.
He described the development as a threat to democratic participation, insisting that no Nigerian should lose his or her life because of political differences or the forthcoming 2027 elections.
According to him, the organisers had formally notified the police and held a meeting with the Commissioner of Police before the procession.
He explained that the police commissioner had directed the organisers not to assemble at Inter-Bua Junction, a directive they reportedly complied with.
However, Emerue expressed concern over the alleged absence of police personnel when the attackers struck, questioning the security arrangements put in place to protect participants.
In a separate reaction, the Nigeria Democratic Congress described the incident as a premeditated, unprovoked and criminal assault on democracy.
The party called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to investigate the attack, identify those responsible and ensure their prosecution.
It also appealed to its supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, warning against retaliation or any action capable of escalating political tension in the state.
The NDC maintained that political differences should be resolved through democratic engagement and participation rather than violence and intimidation.
APC DENIES INVOLVEMENT
Meanwhile, the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has rejected allegations linking its members to the attack.
The party’s spokesperson, Valentine Onojeghuo, said there was no evidence to substantiate the claims made by Ochei and other NDC representatives.
Onojeghuo described the allegations as baseless, insisting that the NDC must provide credible evidence before accusing the ruling party of involvement.
He also alleged that the NDC was experiencing internal divisions in Delta State, adding that such disagreements should not be used as justification for making accusations against the APC.
The APC spokesperson reaffirmed that Governor Oborevwori had consistently advocated peaceful and issue-based political campaigns devoid of violence and confrontation.
He urged the NDC to put its internal affairs in order and embrace peaceful political engagement as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The latest incident has renewed concerns about political intolerance and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of assembly, association and political participation.
With political activities expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders are expected to ensure that political campaigns remain peaceful and that security agencies provide adequate protection for all political parties and their supporters.
The circumstances surrounding the attack and the allegations of political sponsorship remain matters for investigation by the appropriate security agencies.
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