ASABA/Nigeria: The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the reported attack on its members and supporters during Saturday’s One Million Man March in Asaba, Delta State, describing the incident as an attempt to intimidate political participants and undermine their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and political participation.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Ochei Media Team, Saturday, 7th November, 2026, the party alleged that armed hoodlums disrupted what began as a peaceful political procession, leaving several supporters injured and numerous campaign vehicles vandalised.
According to the NDC, the procession had attracted supporters from across the 25 local government areas of Delta State before individuals allegedly armed with sticks, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons attacked participants.
The party claimed that several of its members sustained varying degrees of injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals across the state, while dozens of vehicles deployed for the exercise were damaged.
Expressing concern over the incident, the NDC insisted that the violence should not be dismissed as an ordinary confrontation between political groups, maintaining that the circumstances suggested a deliberate attempt to disrupt its activities.
The party described the incident as a serious threat to democratic participation, arguing that political organisations must be allowed to mobilise supporters and communicate their programmes without fear of violence or intimidation.
It further alleged that the attack reflected growing discomfort among its political opponents over the level of public support demonstrated during the march.
According to the statement, the turnout and enthusiasm displayed by supporters indicated increasing acceptance of the party’s political message across Delta State.
The NDC maintained that political competition should be determined by the strength of ideas, programmes and electoral support rather than threats or physical attacks on perceived opponents.
The party called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to facilitate a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
It also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant security agencies to investigate the attack and ensure that anyone found culpable faces appropriate legal consequences.
The NDC specifically demanded the identification and prosecution of those who allegedly carried out, sponsored or financed the violence, insisting that accountability was necessary to discourage similar incidents during future political activities.
The party maintained that the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly must be protected, irrespective of political affiliation.
It also drew attention to Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which identifies the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
According to the statement, security agencies have a responsibility to provide an environment in which political parties, whether in government or opposition, can conduct legitimate activities without harassment, intimidation or threats to their supporters.
The NDC warned those responsible for the alleged attack that it would explore available legal remedies to secure justice for affected members and ensure accountability.
It said the party would document the incident, submit petitions to appropriate authorities and pursue litigation where necessary, stressing that politically motivated violence should not be allowed to become an accepted feature of democratic competition.
The party further expressed concern that failure to address such incidents could encourage political thuggery and weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
Despite its allegations, the NDC appealed to its members and supporters to remain calm and resist any temptation to retaliate.
It reiterated its commitment to peaceful, issue-based and people-centred political engagement, urging supporters to channel their grievances through lawful democratic processes.
The party encouraged eligible voters to obtain and safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards, participate actively in the electoral process and express their political preferences through the ballot.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations, religious leaders, the media and the international community to pay attention to threats against peaceful political participation and support efforts to promote electoral accountability.
The NDC maintained that democracy could only thrive in an atmosphere where political differences were tolerated and citizens were free to associate with parties of their choice without fear of intimidation.
Reaffirming its determination to continue political mobilisation across Delta State, the party declared that the incident would neither weaken its resolve nor discourage its supporters from participating in democratic activities.
“The march has ended, but the movement has only just begun,” the statement concluded.
