MOT!ON, ActionAid Condemn Attacks On Sowore, Peter Obi, Demand Probe

The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOT!ON), ActionAid Nigeria and other civil society organisations have condemned the growing attacks on opposition politicians and their supporters, warning that Nigeria cannot have credible elections in 2027 without guaranteeing political freedom and the right to organise.

The organisations expressed concern over the October 30 violent incident involving Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and the November 4 attack on the convoy of Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Calabar, Cross River State.

In a joint statement signed by the Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOT!ON), ActionAid Nigeria, CentreLSD and the Abuja School of Political and Social Thoughts and issued in Abuja on Thursday, the groups described the incidents, alongside the reported obstruction of Obi’s movement in Benue State and attacks involving African Democratic Congress (ADC) members in Sokoto, as signs of a growing threat to democratic participation.

“We must not wait until Nigerians are killed or elections are disrupted before recognising the danger,” the organisations warned.

According to the statement, Sowore and members of his team sustained injuries and were hospitalised following a violent confrontation in Ado-Ekiti, resulting in the arrest of 11 suspects.

The groups also noted that Sowore had alleged the involvement of government-linked actors and security personnel, urging authorities to investigate the claims thoroughly.

In Calabar, suspected attackers reportedly armed with dangerous objects damaged vehicles in Obi’s convoy, with the police confirming an arrest.

While acknowledging the arrests, the organisations insisted that investigations must identify not only the direct perpetrators but also any individuals or groups who may have sponsored, financed or facilitated the attacks.

“The responsibility of the government does not end with apprehending those physically involved,” the statement said, calling for investigations into possible official complicity and failures by security personnel to prevent the violence.

The groups also accused the police of failing to adequately protect political gatherings, citing Sections 95 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2026.

They argued that the protection of democratic rights must go beyond allowing political parties to field candidates during elections.

“An election is not free merely because several candidates appear on the ballot paper,” the statement noted.

“It must also be possible for those candidates to travel, organise meetings, address communities, challenge the government and mobilise supporters without violence or intimidation.”

The organisations warned that political violence threatens the fundamental rights of Nigerians to make independent electoral choices.

“Political violence does not only attack candidates. It attacks the people’s ability to choose,” they declared.

The groups further warned that the growing atmosphere of intimidation could undermine voter participation in the 2027 general elections, particularly amid economic hardship, insecurity and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.

Citing the National Voting Intentions Survey (NVIS 3.0) released by Yiaga Africa, they said 84 per cent of Nigerians indicated that they were likely or very likely to vote in 2027, while 61 per cent identified fear of violence as a factor that could prevent them from voting.

They also referenced the National Peace Committee’s reported record of 60 election-related incidents between August 19 and September 19, 2026, including intimidation, threats and attacks on political activities.

According to the organisations, the incidents represent more than isolated political disagreements.

“We are confronting a serious institutional test of whether Nigerian democracy can protect political competition against intimidation, impunity and the possible partisan misuse of coercive power,” they stated.

The groups emphasised that defending the democratic rights of opposition politicians does not mean endorsing their political programmes or abandoning legitimate criticism of their political positions.

They specifically noted that the rights of Sowore, Obi, Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures must be protected regardless of their political affiliations.

“The constitutional freedoms of expression, assembly, association and movement are not privileges granted by incumbent governments. They are rights that public institutions are established to uphold,” the statement added.

The organisations outlined five demands to address political intimidation and protect democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

They called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure comprehensive investigations into the Ekiti and Calabar attacks, including possible sponsors, financiers, organisers and public officials who may have been involved.

They also demanded the preservation of CCTV recordings, communications, medical reports and eyewitness accounts, alongside regular public updates on the investigations.

The groups urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to guarantee the political neutrality of security institutions.

“Protection must not depend on loyalty to the governing party,” they declared.

They further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), to establish transparent procedures for protecting political meetings, campaign movements and access to lawful venues.

The National Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations were also urged to monitor violations against opposition candidates, political organisers, protesters and affected communities.

Additionally, all political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, were urged to reject the mobilisation, financing or protection of violent groups.

Beyond government intervention, the organisations called on trade unions, student organisations, professional bodies, community associations and civil society groups to resist the normalisation of political violence.

They urged Nigerians to document credible incidents, preserve evidence, support victims and demand accountability while defending the rights of people with opposing political views.

“We must reject the dangerous idea that violence against a political opponent is acceptable simply because we disagree with that opponent,” the statement said.

It added that protecting democracy was a collective responsibility that extended beyond politicians to ordinary citizens whose rights and future were at stake.