2027: Edo opposition parties warn against political violence

The African Democratic Congress and the Nigeria Democratic Congress on Tuesday vowed to resist any form of political violence during the campaigns and on election day.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Benin City, the state capital, a leader of the ADC and former chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Dan Asekhame, said that opposition parties would no longer remain inactive and watch an atmosphere of fear and intimidation being created in the state.

He said they would no longer tolerate “persistent attacks, victimisation and attempts to frustrate our political activities and electoral ambitions ahead of the elections.

“On the election day, if they come with their voters’ cards, we will come with our voters’ cards. If they come with AK-47 guns, we will come with AK-49s.”

The Edo State Chairman of the NDC, David Olukoga, and his ADC counterpart, Tony Alile, alleged that opposition members, candidates and supporters had suffered repeated attacks, harassment, threats and vandalism since the commencement of political activities.

Olukoga cited the alleged vandalisation of the NDC secretariat in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, the destruction of campaign billboards belonging to the party’s candidates, Bawa Qawleeph and Frank Omosigho, as well as attacks on party members and structures in different parts of the state.

“In light of these escalating provocations, a joint delegation drawn from the leadership structures of both parties found it highly expedient to hold this joint press conference.

“Our goal is to draw national and international attention to the ongoing opposition strangulation, coordinated rampage, ruthless vandalism and deliberate destruction of our candidates’ campaign materials across the state.

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“The political arena of Edo State must not be deliberately set ablaze to enable the ruling party to reap votes in the midst of orchestrated chaos,” he stated.

Similarly, Alile recounted alleged attacks on ADC leaders, including an incident involving John Odigie-Oyegun and former presidential candidate Peter Obi, during which vehicles and other properties were reportedly damaged.

He also raised concerns over alleged attacks on the residence of Prof. Oserieme Osunbor, the destruction of ADC campaign materials and the reported shooting of a young man, Jerry Oliha, during an attack on ADC chieftain, Kenneth Imansuangbon, at Igueben on October 6, 2026.

Both parties stressed that they remained committed to peaceful political engagement and would not resort to self-help, noting that complaints had already been lodged with the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services.

The parties jointly demanded an immediate end to political violence and intimidation, responsible political rhetoric, impartial investigations and prosecution of those found culpable, neutrality on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and a level playing field for all political parties.