Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has warned against political intimidation, violence and attacks on opposition parties, directing security agencies to arrest and deal decisively with anyone attempting to disrupt lawful political activities in the state.
The governor stressed that no individual or group had his approval to attack opposition parties or prevent their members from exercising their political rights, irrespective of their affiliations.
Otti gave the warning while addressing his supporters on Monday, amid growing concerns over alleged political violence, intimidation and disruptions targeting opposition parties in different parts of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He specifically cautioned his supporters against taking the law into their hands, making it clear that his directive applied to members of his own party, the Labour Party, as well as supporters of other political groups.
“You have no mandate from me to attack opposition parties who are doing their respective political activities.
“Security agencies should arrest and deal decisively with anyone attempting to cause such disruptions, including Labour Party members,” the governor declared.
Otti’s warning comes against the backdrop of reported incidents of political violence and disruptions involving opposition parties in several states, raising concerns about the safety of political gatherings and the protection of democratic freedoms.
Among the states where such incidents have reportedly occurred are Delta, Benue, Kaduna, Enugu, Edo, Rivers, Cross River, Kogi, Osun, Kebbi and Ekiti.
In Delta State, members of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) were reportedly attacked by suspected hoodlums during a One Million Man March in Asaba on November 7, 2026. The incident allegedly left several participants injured, while campaign vehicles were damaged.
Similarly, in Benue State, the convoy of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi was reportedly blocked by youths in Makurdi during his visit to Yelwata in September.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also reported an attack on its supporters during a solidarity walk in Kaduna State.
Enugu State has equally witnessed reported disruptions of opposition political activities, including an incident involving an NDC ward meeting and a separate disruption of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
Other states mentioned in the ADC’s account of alleged attacks and intimidation between July 2025 and September 2026 include Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun and Kogi.
Against this background, Otti’s directive underscores the importance of political tolerance and the need to guarantee equal protection for all political parties and their supporters.
The governor maintained that political differences should not become a justification for violence, intimidation or the disruption of peaceful political gatherings.
