Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has ordered security agencies to arrest and prosecute members of the ruling Labour Party (LP) and other political supporters involved in attacking opposition parties, intimidating their members or disrupting their campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Otti issued the directive during the Labour Party’s campaign flag-off in Umuahia, where he declared that no individual or group had his approval to harass political opponents or prevent them from exercising their democratic rights.
The governor warned that membership of the ruling party or political affiliation would not protect anyone found engaging in violence or violating the rights of other political parties.
Addressing party supporters, Otti said political disagreements must not be allowed to degenerate into violence, insisting that all parties were entitled to conduct their lawful activities without intimidation or interference.
“You have no mandate from me to attack opposition parties who are doing their respective political activities,” he declared.
He added, “Security agencies should arrest and deal decisively with anyone attempting to cause such disruptions, including Labour Party members.”
The governor stressed that the directive applied to members of his own party and other political groups, warning supporters against taking the law into their hands under the guise of political mobilisation.
He also reaffirmed that opposition parties must have access to public facilities, including the Umuahia Township Stadium, for their political programmes, provided they obtained the necessary approvals and paid the prescribed fees.
According to Otti, democratic competition should be determined by the strength of ideas, policies and the ability of political parties to persuade voters, rather than through intimidation, harassment or violence.
He consequently urged Labour Party members to focus on mobilising voters, highlighting the achievements of the party’s administration and presenting their programmes to the electorate instead of attacking political opponents.
The governor’s warning comes amid increasing concerns over alleged attacks and disruptions of opposition political activities in parts of the country as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.
On November 7, suspected hoodlums reportedly attacked members and supporters of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) during a One Million Man March in Asaba, Delta State, leaving several participants injured and campaign vehicles damaged.
Among those reportedly attacked was the Delta State Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Hon. Emerure Favour, who was allegedly stabbed with daggers during the incident.
The attack reportedly disrupted the gathering, forcing participants to flee for safety as the suspected assailants unleashed violence on the crowd.
Similar allegations of intimidation and disruption of opposition political activities have also emerged from Benue, Kaduna, Enugu and other states, heightening concerns about the safety of political parties and their supporters.
Otti maintained that political differences should not translate into violence, insisting that opposition parties retained their constitutional rights to organise meetings, mobilise supporters and campaign freely in Abia State.
He charged security agencies to ensure adequate protection for all political gatherings and hold anyone found culpable of violating the law accountable, irrespective of party affiliation.
The governor urged Labour Party supporters to demonstrate political maturity, respect democratic principles and pursue electoral victory through legitimate political engagement rather than intimidation or attacks on opponents.
