From Ebohon Joan
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have vowed to resist political violence and intimidation during election campaigns and on election day in Edo State.
The parties made the declaration on Tuesday at a joint press conference in Benin City, where they expressed concern over what they described as persistent attacks, harassment and deliberate attempts to frustrate opposition activities ahead of the elections.
Speaking on behalf of the ADC, a party leader and former Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Dan Asekhame, said the opposition would no longer remain silent while an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was allegedly being created across the state.
He said the parties would no longer tolerate what he described as persistent attacks, victimisation and efforts to undermine their political activities and electoral ambitions.
Asekhame, however, sparked concern with his warning about possible confrontation on election day, declaring: “On the election day, if they come with their voters’ cards, we will come with our voters’ cards. If they come with AK-47 guns, we will come with AK-49.”
The Edo State Chairman of the NDC, David Olukoga, and his ADC counterpart, Tony Alile, alleged that opposition candidates, members and supporters had faced repeated attacks, threats, harassment and vandalism since political activities commenced.
Olukoga specifically alleged that the NDC secretariat in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area was vandalised, while campaign billboards belonging to the party’s candidates, Bawa Mohammed Qawleeph and Frank Omosigho, were destroyed. He also alleged attacks on party members and structures in different parts of the state.
He said the joint press conference was organised to draw national and international attention to what the parties described as growing hostility against opposition groups.
“In light of these escalating provocations, a joint delegation drawn from the leadership structures of both parties found it highly expedient to hold this joint press conference; our goal is to draw national and international attention to the ongoing opposition strangulation, coordinated rampage, ruthless vandalism and deliberate destruction of our candidates’ campaign materials across the state,” Olukoga said.
He warned against allowing political tensions to degenerate into violence, adding that Edo State’s political environment must not be deliberately destabilised to give the ruling party an electoral advantage.
“The political arena of Edo State must not be deliberately set ablaze to enable the ruling party to reap votes in the midst of orchestrated chaos,” he stated.
Also speaking, Alile recounted alleged attacks on ADC leaders, including an incident involving Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, during which vehicles and other properties were reportedly damaged.
He further raised concerns over alleged attacks on the residence of Professor Oserieme Osunbor, the destruction of ADC campaign materials and the reported shooting of a young man, Jerry Oliha, during an alleged attack on ADC chieftain Kenneth Imansuangbon in Igueben on October 6, 2026.
Despite their grievances, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful political engagement, insisting that they would not resort to self-help or take the law into their own hands.
They disclosed that complaints had already been lodged with the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), urging security agencies to investigate the reported incidents and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
The opposition parties also demanded an immediate end to political violence and intimidation, responsible political rhetoric by party leaders, impartial investigations and prosecution of anyone found culpable.
They further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and ensure a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the elections.
