Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned reported attacks on party members and coordinators of the Obidient Movement in Delta State, following a violent political clash in Asaba that left one person dead and five others injured.

Obi described the incidents as disturbing and unacceptable, insisting that no political ambition was worth the life of any Nigerian and warning that violence must never become a tool for securing political influence.

The former Anambra State governor made his position known in a statement on Sunday, November 8, 2026, following reports of attacks on NDC supporters and members of the Obidient/OK Movement during political mobilisation activities in the state.

“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,” Obi said.

He unequivocally condemned the attacks, maintaining that the affected supporters were exercising their democratic rights and should not be subjected to intimidation, physical assaults or destruction of property because 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 stated.

The condemnation followed a violent incident along Nnebisi Road in Asaba on Saturday, November 7, during a procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of the NDC presidential candidate.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed that one person died while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident, which occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command said it had received intelligence indicating the possibility of violence before the procession and subsequently invited the organisers to a security meeting.

According to the police, the organisers were briefed about the identified security threats and advised against holding an open-road procession. They were instead encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.

The command, however, alleged that the organisers proceeded with the road procession despite the warning.

Police operatives reportedly mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call and evacuated the injured victims to hospital. Security was subsequently reinforced in the affected area as investigations commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and advised political parties and their supporters to liaise with the police before organising political gatherings to ensure adequate security.

However, organisers of the mobilisation reportedly maintained that they had notified the police and engaged the Commissioner of Police ahead of the march, highlighting differing accounts over the security arrangements preceding the incident.

The Asaba violence was also preceded by reports of an earlier disruption of an NDC-related political gathering in Effurun, Delta State. Vanguard reported that suspected attackers disrupted the mobilisation, leaving some participants injured and campaign vehicles damaged.

The developments have generated accusations and counter-accusations between political actors in the state.

Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and NDC senatorial candidate for Delta North, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, accused suspected members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of involvement in the attacks.

Ochei described the incidents as an attempt to intimidate opposition supporters rather than engage them through issue-based political campaigns. He challenged the ruling party to present its achievements to voters instead of allowing political violence to threaten democratic participation.

The Delta State APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, rejected the accusation, describing it as politically motivated and insisting that no evidence had been presented linking APC members to the violence.

The state government has also condemned the incident. Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had directed security agencies to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted.

The government described political violence as unacceptable and reiterated its position against intimidation and actions capable of threatening public peace, regardless of political affiliation.

In a related reaction, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege condemned the attack on NDC supporters and called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. Through his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, he raised concerns over the safety of opposition supporters and demanded stronger intervention by security agencies.

Obi, meanwhile, warned that Nigeria must not allow political influence to be secured through thuggery, fear and intimidation.

He urged the government and security agencies to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation, identify those responsible and ensure that they face justice irrespective of their political affiliations. He also demanded adequate protection for NDC members, coordinators and other supporters affected by the incidents.

“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 declared.

The NDC presidential candidate further argued that political authority should be earned through persuasion and public trust rather than physical attacks on opponents.

He stressed that no political party or individual has exclusive ownership of Nigeria’s democratic space, insisting that every citizen has the right to organise, assemble, express political opinions and participate freely in choosing the country’s leaders.

The latest developments have raised fresh concerns about political tolerance and the safety of opposition supporters as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With one death confirmed by the police and several others injured, attention is now on the outcome of the investigation and whether those responsible will be identified and prosecuted.

For Delta State, the challenge is to ensure that political competition does not degenerate into violence, intimidation and loss of innocent lives. The right to campaign, associate and support any political party must be protected, while every political actor must be held accountable for actions that threaten public safety.

A democratic society cannot thrive where citizens are afraid to express their political choices.

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