By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has condemned the recent spate of violent attacks at political gatherings in Edo, Cross River and Gombe States, urging security agencies to arrest and prosecute the offenders, while accusations over the perpetrators remain contested.
In a press statement issued Thursday in Abuja and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the campaign council said it had “observed the recent spate of violent attacks at political gatherings in parts of the country,” adding that “the reported attacks in Edo, Cross River, and Gombe, and other violence targeted at party supporters and political leaders across party lines are condemnable.”
The council also “strongly condemn[ed] the disruption of today’s scheduled town hall meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos.”
In Gombe State, suspected thugs attacked the convoy of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Isa Pantami on Wednesday along Jekadafari Road. Witnesses said the attackers barricaded the highway with burning tyres and smashed the windscreens of multiple vehicles in the convoy as Pantami attempted to enter Gombe town.
Amnesty International issued a statement Thursday saying its preliminary findings indicated the attackers were “suspected to be working for the All Progressives Congress (APC),” and described the incident as “perhaps one of the deadliest acts of political violence since the beginning of the campaign for the 2027 elections.” The organisation called on security agencies to investigate and bring those responsible to justice, noting there was no evidence arrests had been made.
Gombe State Police Command spokesperson Buhari Abdullahi confirmed the incident but said no arrests had been made, and that police could not yet determine the number of vehicles affected as no formal complaint had been filed. The APC has not responded directly to Amnesty’s allegation.
In Cross River State, the campaign consultation of PDP governorship candidate Arthur Javis-Archibong in Calabar South was disrupted. Reports indicated that gunmen attacked two venues, leaving at least three people injured and multiple vehicles damaged.
The PDP accused the APC of involvement, while the APC state publicity secretary Emmanuel Inyang denied any connection, stating that the ruling party was focused on its own political activities and suggesting the PDP “look elsewhere” for those responsible. Cross River State Police Command said it had deployed personnel to the affected areas and was investigating reports of gunfire, injuries and property damage.
In Edo State, the NDC and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have accused the APC of orchestrating intimidation and violence against opposition members.
At a joint press conference in Benin City earlier this month, NDC state chairman David Olukoga and ADC counterpart Tony Alile cited the alleged vandalisation of the NDC secretariat in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, destruction of campaign billboards, and an October 6 shooting during an attack on ADC chieftain Kenneth Imansuangbon in Igueben that reportedly injured one Jerry Oliha.
The opposition leaders also condemned alleged remarks by Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe involving the use of AK-47 rifles against those who refuse to support the ruling party in 2027. Amnesty International had earlier called on security agencies to investigate Tenebe’s alleged threats. These accusations have not been independently verified, and the Edo State APC leadership has not responded to the specific allegations.
The APC campaign council also condemned Thursday’s attack on the NDC town hall meeting in Lagos, where hoodlums armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones invaded the venue and disrupted proceedings. An NDC member, Olamilekan Olayiwola, said about 50 suspected thugs arrived in five commercial buses and that four party members sustained injuries, while several others lost mobile phones.
He said two DSS operatives fired warning shots to disperse the attackers. One suspected attacker was reportedly apprehended by NDC supporters following the incident.
Addressing the broader electioneering climate, the campaign council said: “As we proceed with the electioneering campaign, political parties, politicians, and supporters must restrain themselves and avoid acts that could create needless crisis and public disorder.”
It added: “We call on the security agencies to be more responsive and alert in preventing political violence of any type and ensure instigators and perpetrators are apprehended and punished in accordance with the law.”
The council further stated that “political parties and candidates are enjoined to campaign on issues that uplift the lives of Nigerians and not to instigate violence at political events.”
The campaign council stressed the need for a peaceful political atmosphere in which all parties and candidates could freely canvass for votes without intimidation, harassment or attacks.
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