Delta: Obi Condemns Attack on Obidient Movement Members

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Peter Obi. Credit: National Update.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the reported attack on members and coordinators of the NDC and Obidient Movement in Delta State.

Obi expressed concern over the incident, describing political violence as unacceptable in a democracy and insisting that no political ambition should cost a Nigerian their life.

In a statement issued on Saturday, he said those affected were exercising their democratic rights and should not be subjected to intimidation, physical attacks or destruction of property because of their political affiliations.

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He criticised the use of thuggery and violence to gain political influence, arguing that political authority should be earned through persuasion and public trust rather than fear.

“I am profoundly saddened and deeply disturbed by reports of violence directed at members and coordinators of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Obidient Movement in Delta State.

“I unequivocally condemn the attacks against our coordinators, supporters, and fellow citizens who were merely exercising their democratic rights. 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.

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Map of Delta State. Credit: X

“It is particularly troubling that, at a time when Nigeria urgently needs responsible leadership, some individuals continue to believe that political influence can be secured through thuggery, fear, and violence. Political authority should be attained through persuasion and the trust of the people, not by intimidating opponents,” Obi said. 

Obi called on the government and security agencies to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice, regardless of their political affiliations. He also urged authorities to guarantee the safety of the affected members.

He maintained that the attacks would not deter the movement or force its members to abandon their democratic rights, adding that their response would remain peaceful and lawful.

“I urge the Government and the security agencies to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into these attacks, identify those responsible, and ensure that they face justice, irrespective of their political affiliations. The safety and security of our members must be assured.

“We will not be intimidated or silenced, nor will we relinquish our democratic space to violence. Our response will remain peaceful, lawful, and determined,” he added. 

Obi further stressed that no political party or individual had exclusive control over Nigeria’s democratic space, saying every citizen had the right to organise, assemble, express opinions and choose their leaders freely.

“Nigeria belongs to every one of us. No political party or individual has exclusive ownership of the democratic space. Every Nigerian is entitled to organise, gather, express their views, and freely elect their leaders. Our nation needs constructive ideas rather than intimidation, responsible leadership rather than thuggery, and democratic contest rather than political violence.”

He called for constructive ideas and responsible leadership instead of political intimidation, while expressing solidarity with those affected in Delta State.

The former Anambra State governor said a new Nigeria should be built on justice, liberty, peace and respect for the dignity of every citizen.

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