The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged campaign access barriers ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections as police probe a reported shooting outside its Enugu office, raising concerns about political participation.
The Enugu State Police Command said a man repairing a vehicle outside the party secretariat suffered a suspected gunshot injury on Oct. 10. Windscreens on five parked cars were damaged, and police said the man was stable at the time of its statement. The command directed investigators to identify and apprehend those responsible; it named no suspect.
Police described another incident that day at the entrance to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, where police and military personnel broke up a confrontation involving people they identified as suspected NDC members. The command said airport officials had limited entry and a dispute escalated into a fight.
Accounts diverge on why the group was there and whether it had clearance. Enugu State Secretary to the Government Chidiebere Onyia said the NDC attempted to stage a rally without authorization from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The NDC said it had arranged a welcome for its governorship candidate, notified security agencies and paid an airport charge; Premium Times reported that the party presented copies of letters and a receipt.
The casualty record remains unresolved. On Oct. 11, the Enugu government said no one had died and identified the injured man as 43-year-old Ifeanyi Nworie. Premium Times and TheCable later reported that 43-year-old NDC supporter Ifeanyi Nwolie died and was buried Oct. 22; the different surnames leave it unclear whether the reports concern the same person.
NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director said in an ARISE TV interview, as reported by Vanguard, that the party had struggled to book event locations and obtain billboard space. Vanguard also quoted an unnamed All Progressives Congress (APC) official dismissing the venue complaint and asking which state or ministry had denied access. BusinessDay reported that ADP candidates Sani Dawop and John Yayock Solomon alleged restrictions, damaged billboards and high advertising charges; those claims remain unverified.
The National Peace Committee said its monitoring hub logged 60 election-related incidents from Aug. 19 to Sept. 19, including reports of misinformation, disruptions to political activity, intimidation and violence. PUNCH reported the committee’s warning that intimidation may deter participation and lower confidence in elections. The tally reflects the committee’s classifications, not findings that 60 crimes occurred.
The committee lists a second National Peace Accord for Jan. 14, 2027.
