Suspected political thugs have reportedly attacked members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, at Okposhi Ward in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, destroying chairs and canopies and disrupting a peaceful gathering.
The incident occurred barely 48 hours after a separate reported attack on the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate for Ezza South State Constituency, Mr Rollins Offia Nwali, which reportedly resulted in two deaths.
An eyewitness, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the latest incident occurred when the APGA candidate for the Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Prince Emeka Irem, was paying a peaceful courtesy visit to his ward chairman.
According to the eyewitness, the suspected attackers stormed the venue, destroyed chairs and canopies, and chased away APGA supporters who had gathered to receive the candidate.
The source described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric, calling on the Ebonyi State Government to address the reported attacks on opposition party members in the Ezza clan.
The source also criticised the state government's silence over the incidents, urging Governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene to prevent further violence.
“The violent disruption and attack led to several damages at the venue and created panic among supporters and ward members who had gathered peacefully to receive their son.
“This kind of barbaric act is not only an attack on Prince Emeka Irem but an attack on democracy and the peace-loving people of Okposhi Ward and Ezza North at large,” the eyewitness said.
The source maintained that political disagreements should be resolved through democratic processes rather than violence.
“We must understand that politics is not war. Every candidate has the right to visit his ward, his people and his chairman without fear of molestation.
"If anyone has a disagreement or a different political interest, the best way is to go to the ballot and not to the battlefield,” the source added.
The eyewitness called on political stakeholders, youth leaders, security agencies and community elders in Ezza North to condemn the incident and work towards preventing a recurrence.
“We stand with Prince Emeka Irem and his team, and we appeal for calm. Let us remember that violence is not the best way.
"Let peace reign in Okposhi, let peace reign in Ezza North, and let peace reign in Ishielu Federal Constituency,” the source said.
Similarly, another citizen of the state, Sir Chinedu Anyigor has called on Governor Nwifuru, security chiefs, the chairmen of Ezza North and Ezza South Local Government Areas, and elders of the Ezza clan to urgently address the reported political violence to prevent further loss of lives.
Anyigor, in a statement made available to journalists, urged the two local government chairmen to call their supporters to order before the situation escalated.
He warned against turning the Ezza clan into a theatre of political violence, stressing that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives or the destruction of property.
“Ezza land must not be turned into a theatre of war where human lives and properties are treated as though they have no value. No political ambition or struggle for power is worth the blood of our people,” he said.
Anyigor noted that the Ezza people were known for traditions that valued fairness, collective participation and respect for individual rights. He warned that intimidation and force could deepen divisions within the community.
He also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and respected stakeholders to intervene in the interest of peace and stability.
“Ezza elders must speak now! This is the time for our traditional rulers, community leaders and respected stakeholders to rise above personal interests and intervene decisively in the interest of peace,” he said.
He added that the people of Ezza deserved peace, dialogue and unity rather than intimidation and political division.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party's 2027 governorship candidate, Comrade Eze Oko Splendour has challenged an alleged ban on political gatherings in Ezza South Local Government Area, describing the move as unconstitutional.
In an open letter addressed to the Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma, Oko argued that the council chairman lacked the authority to prohibit peaceful political meetings.
“I must use this medium to remind Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma that he does not have such powers to ban political meetings in Ezza South LGA during this election period. Freedom of association is a constitutional right,” he said.
Oko maintained that citizens had the right to hold peaceful meetings in Ezza South and other parts of Ebonyi State, warning against the intimidation or harassment of opposition parties.
He cautioned that political disagreements should not plunge the state into turmoil, adding that public office was a responsibility to serve citizens rather than intimidate them.
The Labour Party candidate further alleged that inflammatory statements by some political leaders had contributed to the rising tension in the state.
He cited a previous declaration attributed to the chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Hon. Paul Ituma Eze, in which opposition parties were allegedly declared persona non grata in the council area.
Oko also alleged that Governor Nwifuru had encouraged newly elected or appointed local government chairmen to deal firmly with opposition elements in their respective areas.
However, the allegations concerning the governor's remarks and the circumstances surrounding the reported restrictions on political gatherings were not independently verified.
The Labour Party candidate urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for opposition parties during meetings and other lawful political activities throughout Ebonyi State.
He also encouraged residents and political groups to remain law-abiding and seek assistance from security agencies whenever they felt threatened.
“Nobody has the powers to stop them from gathering in Ebonyi State, not even Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma. We must learn to give peace a chance in Ebonyi State because violence does not pay at all,” Oko said.
He called on political actors across party lines to embrace tolerance and peaceful engagement, stressing that Ebonyi State belonged to all its citizens.
The reported attack in Okposhi and the concerns raised by political stakeholders have intensified calls for urgent intervention to prevent further violence as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported APGA attack, the identities of those responsible, and the allegations concerning restrictions on opposition gatherings remain to be independently established.
There was no response from the Ebonyi State Government, the affected local government chairmen or security agencies as of the time of filing this report.
Ebonyi: Political thugs attack APGA members, destroy chairs, canopies