National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has called for tougher action against perpetrators of political violence as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Dickson said condemnation of attacks on opposition parties would not be enough, insisting that security agencies must investigate reported incidents, identify those responsible and ensure that they face the consequences of their actions.
The former Bayelsa State governor spoke while receiving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, into the NDC.
He said the reported attacks on opposition political activities in different parts of the country posed a threat to the democratic process and should not be allowed to continue.
“Let me, on that note, call for the cessation of violence and attacks meted out to opposition parties in so many states. We have condemned this several times. I want to use this opportunity to condemn it,” Dickson said.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu’s reported call for an end to political violence should be accompanied by concrete enforcement measures.
“I think we should follow it up with action. There have to be consequences for that misbehaviour and encouragement of violence and criminality and brigandage,” he said.
Dickson’s comments come against the backdrop of reported disruptions of opposition activities in states including Enugu and Benue.
In Enugu, police authorities ordered investigations following reported attacks that disrupted separate meetings of the NDC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nkanu West Local Government Area on September 12.
Police said gunmen disrupted an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia, leaving two people reportedly injured, while a separate PDP gathering in Agbani was also disrupted and property destroyed.
The NDC subsequently petitioned security agencies over the incidents and called for investigations. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu, however, denied allegations linking the party or the state government to the reported violence.
In another incident in Benue, police announced the arrest of 46 suspects following a reported confrontation involving the convoy of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Dickson also referred to the reported decision by the Inspector-General of Police to establish a special squad to address political violence, saying the initiative required adequate support to be effective.
“There has to be more support for that so that those who are trying to introduce needless violence and brigandage, whether in Benue, whether in Enugu, whether in other parts of the country, in Lagos, everywhere, they need to be stopped, they need to be identified, they need to be punished,” he said.
The NDC leader suggested that the party’s growing political presence could be one reason for the alleged attacks against its activities, although he did not name any individual or organisation as responsible.
“And the reason they are attacking people is because they know the strength of the NDC,” he said.
He maintained that the ultimate decision on the 2027 elections would rest with Nigerian voters and urged political parties and their supporters to respect democratic rules.
“Even when campaigns have not formally begun, they know because this election will be voted for by Nigerians; all Nigerians know what we are feeling,” Dickson said.
He added: “I condemn it again and call on all to play by the books.”
