PDP Chairmen allege escalating political violence, opposition intimidation in Ebonyi
The Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairmen has raised an urgent alarm over an alleged wave of political violence, threats, abductions, targeted killings, and systematic attacks on opposition members across Ebonyi State. In a press statement issued by the forum Chairman and Imo State PDP Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, called for immediate investigations by federal security authorities and heightened monitoring by international election observers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group condemned what it described as a troubling and deliberate strategy to undermine democratic participation through unlawful detentions, property destruction, and severe restrictions on PDP leaders, candidates, and supporters. “Public authority must never be weaponized to intimidate one political party while facilitating another.” “A thriving democracy relies on equal protection under the law and open political participation,” the forum stated.
Addressing the alleged escalating tension, the forum urged Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to intervene swiftly to protect lives and restore public confidence. Specifically, the forum called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately set up an impartial investigative panel to probe reported attacks, threats, abductions, killings, armed robbery, and property destruction.
It also called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct an independent, comprehensive security assessment regarding political violence in the state, saying that President Tinubu should mandate impartial security interventions and guarantee equal protection for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. Likewise, the group urged the international community to actively monitor the situation, calling on the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), ECOWAS, diplomatic missions, and international human rights organisations to scrutinise human rights and democratic freedoms in Ebonyi.
