The Obidient Movement has warned that continued attacks on opposition supporters could heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections, calling on security agencies to protect Nigerians exercising their democratic rights.
The warning followed the reported attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and other Nigerians during the One Million Man March in Warri, Delta State, on Friday.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the movement accused the All Progressives Congress of sponsoring political thugs to disrupt opposition activities.
The APC has not been quoted as responding to the latest allegation.
The Obidient Movement said its supporters would no longer remain silent in the face of intimidation, insisting that Nigerians had a constitutional right to campaign, assemble peacefully and support candidates of their choice.
“We are peaceful, but we are not helpless,” the group said, stressing that it would pursue lawful resistance and mass mobilisation to protect the rights of its supporters.
It warned that political violence could trigger a dangerous cycle of escalation, urging security agencies to intervene before tensions deteriorate further.
The movement linked Friday’s incident in Warri to what it described as a broader pattern of political violence in Delta State and other parts of the country.
It recalled an earlier allegation by the NDC candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, that armed men attacked his convoy in Delta State, allegedly injuring six NDC members.
The APC had denied involvement in that incident.
The group also cited the reported September 12 attack on an NDC ward meeting and voter-sensitisation programme at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuofia, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to the movement, eight people were shot during the incident.
The Obidient Movement accused security agencies of failing to adequately protect opposition supporters from political violence and called for impartial enforcement of the law.
It also criticised what it described as threats allegedly issued by some political office holders against voters who might not support their preferred candidates.
The group urged political parties and their supporters to reject violence and allow Nigerians to campaign and mobilise freely.
It said any response by its supporters to threats or attacks would remain within the bounds of the law, while stressing that no political party had the right to determine where Nigerians could gather or whom they could support.
The movement warned that the continued use of intimidation and violence could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
It insisted that the 2027 election should be determined by voters at the ballot box rather than by threats, intimidation or violence.
“The 2027 election must be decided by Nigerians at the ballot box, not by political thugs on the streets,” the statement said.
The group concluded with a call for all political actors and security agencies to ensure that Nigerians could participate freely and safely in the electoral process.
“Nigeria must be OK,” it said.