Obi speaks out against attack on his campaign convoy in Cross River

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has condemned the attack on his campaign convoy by suspected thugs in Calabar, Cross River State. He assured his supporters that political violence would not stop the 2027 general election.

Obi spoke at a town hall meeting in Calabar on Wednesday. This was just hours after his convoy reportedly came under attack. The assailants damaged the windscreens and side mirrors of some campaign buses.

A viral 30-second video showed some attackers, mostly in black shirts, fez caps, and face coverings, using machetes to harm vehicles in the convoy.

The attack caused panic as passersby and roadside traders quickly fled the area. One of Obi’s media aides, Esther Umoh, raised the alarm on her official X account.

"Thugs are trying to attack our convoy," she wrote.

Shortly after, Umoh shared another five-second video. This video showed a victim with a gunshot injury to the leg being taken from the scene. She said the injury was caused by a stray bullet.

At the town hall meeting, Obi shared his experience during the attack. He said his security team told him to take another route after the attackers armed themselves with machetes and other weapons.

He said, "They were throwing stones, and I saw people running back. And my security people said we should find another way because they have machetes and other things.

"I asked, ‘In Nigeria? I am coming down to go and meet them.’ By the time they saw what was happening, they left. All these things happened because Nigerians allow it. We are not going to allow it in 2027."

The former governor of Anambra State arrived in Calabar with his wife, Margaret, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for the town hall meeting.

Attempts to reach Constance Ikokwu, spokesperson for the NDC Presidential Campaign Council, and Obi’s spokesman, Idris Zekeri, for more comments were not successful.

This incident is the latest security challenge for Obi’s campaign. It comes about two months after his convoy faced a blockade and confrontation with youths in Benue State.

During the Benue visit, youths blocked Obi’s convoy along the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway. He was on his way for political engagements ahead of the 2027 presidential election and to sympathize with victims of the June 2025 attacks in Yelewata.

The trouble began a few meters from the airport when the convoy encountered a roadblock set up by the youths. They stopped motorists from using the highway. This caused heavy traffic, and the police were criticized for not acting quickly to disperse the youths.

Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, later revealed that at least 46 suspects had been arrested related to the incident.

Nwadiogbu said investigations were ongoing and security agents were tracking key leaders of the youths. He warned that the police would not allow political intolerance as the country approaches the 2027 general election.