The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Edo State chapter, has condemned what it described as an escalating wave of political intolerance, intimidation, vandalism and violence targeting its candidates and campaign activities across the state.

The party, in a statement issued on October 1, 2026, by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Azeez Obogeh, alleged that campaign billboards and other materials belonging to its candidate for Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Bawa Mohammed Qaleeph, were vandalised and defaced across the three local government areas of the constituency on the night of September 29.

The NDC also alleged that its campaign office for the Oredo Federal Constituency candidate, Hon. Frank Omosigho, was targeted by acts of aggression on September 29 and 30.

According to the party, video footage captured the destruction, defacement and removal of what it described as authorised campaign infrastructure.

The party said the alleged acts of vandalism were accompanied by threats against campaign personnel, which it claimed were intended to create fear and discourage political mobilisation in the affected constituencies.

The NDC described the incidents as a violation of democratic principles, multi-party coexistence and the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.

The party further linked the alleged attacks in Oredo and Etsako to what it described as political coercion in Esan West Local Government Area, where it alleged that the APC-appointed local government chairman threatened commercial transport operators, hoteliers and business owners with sanctions if they allowed opposition campaign branding or hosted alternative political gatherings.

The party alleged that such sanctions included eviction from public parks and revocation of property approvals.

The NDC said the incidents in Oredo, Etsako and Esan West were evidence of what it described as a coordinated attempt to create a monopolistic political environment through intimidation, sabotage and victimisation of opposition groups.

It disclosed that its Edo State leadership had lodged formal criminal complaints with the relevant security commands over the alleged incidents.

The party called on the Edo State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other internal security agencies to intervene urgently and investigate the allegations.

Specifically, the NDC urged the security agencies to use available digital and video evidence to identify, arrest and prosecute those allegedly responsible for the vandalism, as well as investigate threats allegedly made by public officials against citizens exercising their political rights.

It also called for increased security surveillance to protect citizens from what it described as “marauding groups.”

The party maintained that the right to choose political leaders rests solely with the electorate and should be exercised through peaceful consideration of candidates’ manifestos, character and policy proposals.

“The sovereign right to determine leadership belongs exclusively to the electorate,” the NDC said, adding that the choice of leaders “cannot be dictated by intimidation, vandalization of opposition campaign materials, violence by state-backed actors or needless destruction of infrastructure.”

The party declared that the destruction of its campaign materials would not diminish its candidates’ support, saying, “NDC is in the heart of every Nigerian. Destroying our banners will not curtail the acceptance our candidates enjoy.”

The NDC urged its members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while the party leadership engages the relevant security agencies to ensure the restoration of order across the affected areas.

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