General News
2027: PDP condemns escalating political violence in Ebonyi, demands urgent action
Maureen Nwaokwa
The Forum of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), State Chairmen in the country has condemned the alleged escalating political violence ravaging different parts of the Ebonyi state, ahead of 2027 general election.
The Forum, which demanded urgent action towards tackling the ugly situation in the State, called on security agencies to urgently intervene, in order to deescalate the rising security challenge in the State .
Addressing newsmen in Abakaliki, the Imo State Chapter Chairman and leader of the Forum, Rt. Hon. Austin Nwachukwu expressed outrage over reports of alleged escalating threats, attacks, abductions, killings, unlawful detention and destruction of property targeted at PDP leaders, candidates, executives and supporters in Ebonyi State.
The group used the opportunity to encourage the Ebonyi State
Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii to remain strong,
focused, undeterred, unwavering as he continues to engage with the people
of Ebonyi State constructively, to secure victory in the 2027 Gubernatorial
election.
According to the Forum, the escalating political violence in the State raises questions about citizens’ safety, freedom of association and the integrity of the
political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They call on Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Nigeria Police Force,
the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the international community to take
urgent, coordinated action to protect lives, investigate the allegations and
preserve democratic freedom in Ebonyi State.
Chronicling incidences of political violence across the state, the PDP Forum stressed that political disagreement must never become a justification for violence, as no Nigerian should suffer intimidation for belonging to a political party.
The text of the press conference read: “The Forum is concerned by reports that, on 25 May 2026, Governor
Nwifuru ordered the closure of the PDP State Secretariat, which was
reportedly cordoned off by more than 150 security personnel. The facility has allegedly remained sealed, preventing the PDP State Working Committee from accessing its offices.
“On 15 June 2026, the Governor reportedly threatened to “consume,
destroy or kill” any PDP member considered a threat to his re-election.
“On 1st September 2026, he directed his newly selected local government
chairmen to deal mercilessly with the PDP in their respective jurisdictions.
Flowing from the Governor’s directive, the Chairmen of Ohaukwu Local
Government Area, Mr Paul Ituma and Onicha LGA, Mr. Ikechukwu Ogboffia
went ahead to warn of lamentable consequences for PDP members in their
areas.
“These reports are particularly troubling when considered alongside the
following incidents: On 1
st August 2026: PDP members attending a rally at Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South, were attacked, leaving 10 persons critically injured. A vehicle conveying journalists and several vehicles belonging to PDP members were attacked.
“On 4th August 2026: The residence of a 73-year-old PDP leader Chief
Christopher Ngwuta, popularly known as Gbazuoagu, was attacked during
a consultative meeting. His wife, Mrs Blessing Ngwuta, lost a four-month
pregnancy following the trauma. The Forum understands that medical
documentation is available.
“On 16th August 2026: Hon. Igboke Felix Ogbonna, PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ohanaivo Federal Constituency, and his aides were attacked while attending the Catholic Women’s August meeting at Christ the King Catholic Parish, Aba Omege.
“On 9th September 2026: A notorious group led by Uchenna Igwe and
Ejike Omewa attacked the business premises of a PDP leader, Mr Arinze
Oyibe, at Abaomege and destroyed goods worth several millions of naira
and assaulted a pregnant woman.
“On 19th September 2026: Another armed group, led by one “Mr. Power”
reportedly disrupted a PDP political and economic summit at Veneza Hotel,
Abakaliki, injuring participants and robbed attendees of various valuable
items.
“On 27th September 2026: Mr Chinedu Onwe, a member of the Ebonyi
State House of Assembly Service Commission, threatened the Abaomege
PDP not to engage on any meeting on the party. He later made good his
threat by leading a group of thug to attack the PDP members and
dispossessed of their phones and other items with guns and other
dangerous weapons.
“On 15th October 2026: PDP State Woman Leader Mrs Chinyere Nwele
was arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command under frivolous reasons.
According to information available to this Forum, she has remained in
detention till date.
“On 20th October 2026: Jimo Guest House, owned by one of the PDP
youth leaders, Jimo Abu, was sealed by state government agents. Mr Abu
was abducted the following day and forced to renounce PDP membership
and publicly declare support for Governor Nwifuru on gun point.
“22nd October 2026: a gang of youths alleged to be agents of the
governor attacked security personnel at Amaezekwe village in Ezza South
LGA, resulting in serious casualties. The circumstances require independent
investigation.
“The Forum has also received reports of the abduction and killing of Elder
Onwe Obochi of Oshege village, Ohaukwu, following his attendance at a
political meeting involving opposition members.
“This allegation must be thoroughly investigated. Anyone found responsible
through credible evidence must face the appropriate legal consequences,
regardless of political affiliation or official position.
The Forum further alleged that Governor Nwifuru’s administration has afforded APGA and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) access to public spaces for political activities while restricting or
threatening or sealing private venues of PDP gatherings.
“We have also received allegations of a discreet political understanding
between the governor and the NDC intended to secure support from the
political camp associated with NDC Presidential Candidate.
“The Forum is further concerned that the governor’s reported political arrangements could undermine President Tinubu’s re-election prospects, particularly as the Ebonyi PDP governorship candidate, Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii has openly indicated his support for the re-election of President Tinubu. These allegations require verification.
“Nevertheless, they raise important
questions about equal access to public facilities, the impartial use of state
resources and the freedom of political parties to organise.
“Political alliances are legitimate aspects of democratic competition. However, public authority must not be used to intimidate one party while
facilitating another. We call for transparent and consistent rules governing access to public spaces and equal protection for all lawfully recognised political parties.”
According to the Forum, complaints about several reported incidents
were submitted to the police without satisfactory resolution.
“We have also received verifiable and concrete information that the Ebonyi
State Commissioner of Police has resided at Meritona Hotel in Abakaliki,
reportedly owned by Governor Nwifuru, since she assumed office in Ebonyi
State, even when there is an official residential quarters for Commissioners
of Police in the state.
“Recently, the Ebonyi community diaspora staged a protest to the office of the Inspector General of Police in Abuja regarding the activities of the CP in Ebonyi State against PDP. We do not presume that this alleged arrangement establishes misconduct, but it raises
questions that warrant clarification to preserve public confidence in police
independence.
“We therefore demand an impartial review of the police response, an
assessment of any potential conflict of interest and effective protection for
victims, witnesses and threatened PDP members.”
They further added that: “No political ambition is worth a Nigerian life. No party is above the Constitution. No public office is above the law. No citizen should have to choose between exercising a democratic right and remaining safe.”
By Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, Lesser Haji, an Islamic spiritual exercise involving a pilgrimage to the Holy City.
A statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), said the visit gives the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion, and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability, and continued progress.
‘’While in Makkah, President Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people, ‘’the statement said.
Before leaving Abuja, President Tinubu will commission some equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force for its operations at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.
The President is expected back in the country next week, after completing the spiritual exercise
By Our Reporter
Members of the House of Representatives have invited Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to brief them on the umpire’s readiness for the 2027 general election.
The invitation was sequel to a motion co-sponsored by Mansur Soro (APM, Bauchi) and Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoto) during plenary on Wednesday.
Soro, the motion’s lead sponsor, told his colleague that the credibility, transparency, and acceptability of the 2027 elections would largely depend on INEC’s preparations, including voter registration, voter education, personnel training, security coordination, and the timely implementation of the election timetable.
He expressed concerns about operational challenges reported at some continuous voter registration (CVR) centres nationwide, including inadequate registration equipment, staff shortages, network disruptions, and long waiting times.
Soro said these challenges could restrict access to voter registration, particularly for first-time voters, rural residents, persons with disabilities, students and workers, if not addressed promptly.
The lawmaker said the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election offers useful lessons on election administration, technology deployment, logistics management, stakeholder engagement, security, and voter participation, which should guide preparations for the forthcoming general election.
The legislator said early institutional preparedness is crucial to procuring election materials on time, deploying technology, recruiting and training personnel, conducting effective voter education, planning security, assessing electoral risks, and managing logistics nationwide.
“Any delay in addressing existing operational gaps in voter registration, logistics, technology deployment and funding may adversely affect public confidence in the electoral process and compromise the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general election,” he said.
He asked lawmakers to invite Amupitan to, within seven days, brief the house on the commission’s readiness for the 2027 elections, including progress of continuous voter registration, the status of PVC production and distribution, the readiness of election technology and logistics, mapping of challenging areas, recruitment and training status of election officials, budgetary appropriations, funds released, outstanding releases and the implications of any funding gaps on implementation timelines.
However, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker, rejected the demand that Amupitan should brief lawmakers during plenary.
Kalu proposed that Amupitan appear before the committee on electoral matters, and any lawmaker may attend the session.
The deputy speaker’s proposal passed when Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker, put it to a voice vote.
By Our Reporter
The Federal High Court in Lagos has rejected the bail application of Afolabi Kazeem Michael, a socialite popularly known as KC Luxury, in the alleged cocaine trafficking trial.
In a ruling on Wednesday, Musa Kakaki, the trial judge, held that the socialite’s bail application did not provide sufficient evidence to grant the request.
KC Luxury is standing trial alongside Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch on a 22-count charge involving allegations of conspiring to export 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom and money laundering.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ruling on the bail application, Kakaki held that there is no medical certificate before the court to support the request for bail.
READ ALSO: NDLEA busts N39bn cocaine cartel, arrests fleeing celebrity drug kingpin
“There is no medical certificate to warrant the court to grant him bail,” the judge said.
“If there is special medical need for the first defendant, where a suspect claims an illness, an expert in the field would have given an explanation.”
The judge directed officials of the Ikoyi custodial centre to grant the socialite unrestricted access to doctors and medical experts for treatment of any health condition.
The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned the case to November 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
During the court proceedings on October 23, the socialite was brought to the premises of the court in an ambulance while reportedly receiving oxygen.
A correctional service officer told the court that KC Luxury was “critically ill” and had been hospitalised. The officer called a nurse to testify before the court.
Addressing the court, Bukki Yahya, a nurse attached to the Police Hospital in Falomo, said Michael was admitted to the hospital on October 7, 2026, and diagnosed with asthma and sepsis.
Yahya said Michael was inside the ambulance on the court premises because he was placed on oxygen.
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