In a development that sends a worrying signal that electioneering and the 2027 elections in Edo State would witness a balance of terror, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have resolved to coalesce to resist any form of political violence against them by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the stance of the two major opposition parties to prove that no party has monopoly of violence is not unconnected to series of attacks on them and their offices in recent times allegedly linked to the APC.
The Edo State Chairman of the NDC, David Olukoga, and his ADC counterpart, Tony Alile, alleged that opposition members, candidates and supporters had suffered repeated attacks, harassment, threats and vandalism since the commencement of political activities.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Benin City on Tuesday, a leader of the ADC and former chairman of Owan West local government area, Dan Asekhame, said that opposition parties would no longer remain unresponsive to further attacks, accusing the APC of allegedly creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation against opposition figures in Edo.
Asekhame declared that they would no longer tolerate “persistent attacks, victimisation and attempts to frustrate our political activities and electoral ambitions ahead of the elections.
“On election day, if they come with their voter’s cards, we will come with our voter’s cards. If they come with AK-47, we will come with AK-49.”
Olukoga, an engineer, cited the alleged vandalisation of the NDC secretariat in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, the destruction of campaign billboards belonging to the party’s candidates, Bawa Mohammed Qaleeph, and Frank Uyi Omosigho, as well as attacks on party members and structures in different parts of the state.
According to Olukoga, “In the light of these escalating provocations, a joint delegation drawn from the leadership structures of both parties found it highly expedient to hold this joint press conference. Our goal is to draw national and international attention to the ongoing opposition strangulation, coordinated rampage, ruthless vandalism and deliberate destruction of our candidates’ campaign materials across the state. The political arena of Edo State must not be deliberately set ablaze to enable the ruling party to reap votes in the midst of orchestrated chaos.”
Similarly, Alile recounted alleged attacks on ADC leaders, including an incident involving Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during which vehicles and other properties were reportedly damaged.
He also raised concerns over alleged attacks on the residence of Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, a former governor of the state, the destruction of ADC campaign materials and the reported shooting of a young man, Jerry Oliha, during an attack on ADC chieftain, Kenneth Imasuangbon, at Igueben on October 6, 2026.
Expressing their parties’ commitment to peaceful political engagement and not resorting to self-help, Alile said complaints had already been lodged with the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The parties jointly demanded an immediate end to political violence and intimidation, responsible political rhetoric, impartial investigations and prosecution of those found culpable, neutrality on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and a level playing field for all political parties.