The Obidient Movement has accused security agencies of applying a double standard in handling alleged political violence, claiming that suspected attackers of opposition supporters are allowed to escape accountability while those who report incidents risk arrest.
The allegation, contained in a statement issued on Monday, raises fresh questions about police neutrality and the protection of opposition parties as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The movement cited reported incidents in Enugu, Edo, Delta and Benue states, alleging that the failure to investigate threats and attacks impartially could undermine public confidence in the security agencies.
Its most pointed allegation concerned an incident in Enugu State, where it claimed that suspects arrested over an attack on Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) members on September 12, 2026, were released, while the person who recorded and reported the incident was arrested.
The group did not provide further details in the statement to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged release and arrest.
The movement also cited reported violence in Enugu over the weekend, alleging that armed political thugs disrupted NDC activities with gunshots, leaving several supporters injured, with one fatality reportedly recorded.
According to the group, the attackers followed NDC supporters from the airport to the party’s campaign office.
It further referenced footage published by Premium Times, which it said showed a uniformed security operative standing by as a supporter was assaulted.
The movement challenged the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to investigate the allegations and establish whether officers responded appropriately to the incidents.
The APC and the security agencies had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
Beyond Enugu, the movement accused APC Chairman in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, of threatening to use AK-47 rifles against anyone standing in the way of the party’s target of 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu.
It alleged that security agencies had failed to respond adequately to the reported threat.
In Delta State, the group claimed that a business belonging to an NDC member was sealed following a reported peaceful pro-NDC march.
It also alleged that Sochi Okolo, an NDC member and member of the Victor Ochei Campaign Council, was taken from his home and detained by the police following his defection from the APC to the NDC.
Okolo was identified as a former senior media aide to the Executive Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Area.
In Benue State, the movement called for an investigation into the reported attack and subsequent death of Igbu Terhemen, chairman of the NDC Fiidi Ward Council.
It alleged that the incident reflected a broader pattern of attacks against its members in the state.
The group warned that failure to investigate the incidents transparently could embolden political actors and encourage retaliatory actions.
It urged security agencies to protect citizens irrespective of political affiliation and ensure that allegations of intimidation, assault and threats were investigated on their merits.
The movement also called on its members to document threats, report attacks to the appropriate authorities and act within the law.
“The APC must understand that Nigeria is not its private property. No party has the right to threaten citizens into submission, and no security agency has the right to look away while Nigerians are attacked,” the statement said.
The group warned that the handling of political violence allegations could become a critical test of public confidence in the security agencies ahead of the 2027 elections.