Obidients Call for End to Political Intimidation in Delta

The Obidient Movement has spoken out against the recent attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and others during a One Million Man March in Warri, Delta State. They are urging security agencies to stop political intimidation as the 2027 elections approach.

Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the movement, issued a statement on Sunday. He said the attack is part of a worrying trend of political violence aimed at opposition supporters in Delta State.

He stated, "The Obidient Movement condemns the reported attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and innocent Nigerians by thugs during the One Million Man March in Warri, Delta State on Friday."

Tanko added, "This history of growing political violence in Delta State is not an isolated concern."

This statement follows one from Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the NDC candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District. He has called for an immediate investigation by the police, Department of State Services, and other security agencies.

Omo-Agege claims the violence is a planned effort to stop the opposition party from campaigning and gathering support. He explained that the march was meant to start at Angle Park in Warri South but participants were forced to leave the venue.

He also mentioned that after talks with the police, the NDC supporters moved to the Total filling station area. He said, "the situation escalated after the NDC supporters were again attacked."

This incident comes after Omo-Agege previously reported that armed men attacked his convoy in Delta State, injuring six NDC members. The APC has denied any involvement in the violence.

Tanko urged security agencies to take action against political violence during the 2027 campaign. He emphasized, "On this note, the Obidient Movement is putting security agencies on notice that we will no longer sit back as lame ducks throughout the campaign season and on election day while political thugs attack Nigerians exercising their democratic rights."

He continued, "Nigerians everywhere have a constitutional right to campaign, mobilise, assemble and support candidates of their choice. We will defend those rights through any and every means available to us, including lawful resistance, mass mobilisation, and even self-defence, as guaranteed by Section 33, and Subsection 2(a) of the Nigerian Constitution."

Tanko proclaimed, "Nigeria belongs to all of us. No political party has the right to determine who can campaign, where Nigerians can gather or who they can support. We are peaceful, but we are not helpless. We will not initiate violence, but neither will we surrender our people to intimidation."

He called on Nigerians to reject political violence, making it clear that the 2027 election should be decided by voters, not by intimidation. He concluded, "The 2027 election must be decided by Nigerians at the ballot box, not by political thugs on the streets."