By De Accolade Magazine | Special Feature
ENUGU, NIGERIA — The recent reported attack on opposition party members in Enugu State has reopened an uncomfortable question about the future of democratic politics in the Coal City State.
The question in the lips of ndu Enugu is if Enugu has gradually returning to an era when political differences were settled through intimidation, violence and the deployment of street muscle, rather than peaceful competition and the ballot box?
For a state whose people have experienced the consequences of political hostility in earlier years, any fresh allegation of political thuggery should be treated with the seriousness it deserves. The safety of citizens, the freedom of political association and the right to support candidates of one's choice are fundamental to a functioning democracy.
The reported incident is particularly concerning because it comes as political activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum across the country.
At such a time, Enugu needs a political atmosphere in which candidates can campaign freely, parties can organise meetings without fear, and citizens can listen to competing political ideas without being subjected to threats or physical attacks.
Governor Peter Mbah, as the chief executive of the state, therefore faces an important responsibility: to ensure that every resident, irrespective of political affiliation, enjoys the protection of government and the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
The governor's responsibility is not limited to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or any other political platform rather it extends to every citizen of Enugu State, including those who disagree with his administration or support candidates seeking to replace his party in government.
The reported attack on opposition supporters raises concerns about whether political disagreements are being allowed to degenerate into confrontation and violence.
In a democratic society, opposition parties have a legitimate role in questioning government policies, presenting alternative programmes and seeking public support.
Their supporters must equally be free to attend political meetings, receive candidates and express their preferences without fear of harassment.
As highlighted in a commentary by Joechris D’MC titled “Enugu State: Why Are We Returning to the Era of Political Thuggery, Intimidation and Violence?”, there is growing concern among critics about the possibility of a return to a political culture in which intimidation overshadows persuasion.
The central argument of the commentary is that political power should not be used to suppress opposing voices and that a government confident in its record should be prepared to face public scrutiny.
These are important democratic principles. However, allegations surrounding any particular attack must be independently investigated, and responsibility should be established through credible evidence rather than political assumptions.
No individual or political organisation should be condemned without evidence. Equally, no credible allegation of politically motivated violence should be ignored simply because it involves a rival party or an opponent of the government.
The appropriate response is an impartial investigation, the identification of those responsible and the prosecution of anyone found to have committed an offence in accordance with the law.
Silence, indifference or selective enforcement of the law would only deepen public suspicion and weaken confidence in the institutions responsible for maintaining peace.
For many residents who witnessed Enugu's political environment in the early 2000s, the prospect of a return to political intimidation carries disturbing historical associations.
During that period, political competition in parts of the country was frequently accompanied by allegations of intimidation, confrontations between rival groups and the use of political influence to silence opponents. Enugu, like other states, experienced the challenges associated with highly competitive political patronage and struggles for influence.
The period preceding and surrounding the Ebeano political era remains part of the state's political history. However, specific incidents and responsibility for particular acts must be established from reliable historical records rather than attributed indiscriminately.
The lesson for today's leaders is clear: whatever political differences existed in the past, Enugu must continue to strengthen the democratic culture that allows disagreements to be settled without violence.
Political thuggery does not merely injure individuals, it damages relationships within communities, creates fear among ordinary residents, discourages political participation and can turn previously peaceful neighbourhoods into arenas of confrontation.
When citizens begin to calculate the risks of attending a political meeting or welcoming a candidate into their community, democracy has already suffered a serious setback.
A trader should not have to fear losing business because of a political preference. A young person should not be pressured into joining a violent political group to demonstrate loyalty. A community leader should not have to choose between personal safety and the right to receive an opposition politician.
Enugu's political history should serve as a warning, not a blueprint for future political conduct.
The state must not permit the mistakes and tensions of earlier political eras to become normal features of contemporary politics.
Governor Peter Mbah's position places him at the centre of the state's responsibility to protect lives, maintain public order and uphold the rule of law.
This responsibility becomes especially important when allegations of political violence arise. The government must demonstrate that the security and dignity of citizens are more important than the political fortunes of any individual or party.
The governor should publicly reaffirm that political violence will not be tolerated in Enugu State and direct the relevant security agencies to investigate the reported attack impartially.
Where evidence establishes that individuals committed criminal offences, the law should take its course, regardless of their political connections or affiliations.
At the same time, the government should ensure that security measures do not become instruments for restricting lawful opposition activities. Security agencies must protect peaceful political gatherings and enforce the law without favouritism.
The people of Enugu need reassurance that the protection available to a government supporter is equally available to an opposition supporter.
That reassurance must be demonstrated through action.
It is not enough for government officials to condemn violence in general terms. Citizens need to see credible investigations, appropriate preventive measures and accountability where wrongdoing is established.
Governor Mbah also has an opportunity to bring political party leaders, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society organisations together to establish a common commitment to peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Such an initiative could include a state-level political peace accord, early-warning arrangements for areas experiencing tension, clear procedures for reporting threats and firm commitments by political parties to discourage violence among their supporters.
The objective should be to prevent confrontation before it occurs rather than waiting until lives have been endangered.
One of the strongest arguments in the commentary by Joechris D’MC is that a government should allow its record in office to speak for itself.
That argument deserves serious consideration.
In a democracy, governments are judged by citizens through a combination of their experiences, expectations and assessment of public policies. Roads, healthcare, education, employment opportunities, security, economic conditions and the delivery of public services all contribute to how citizens evaluate an administration.
Supporters of Governor Mbah may point to projects and policies they consider achievements of his administration. Opposition parties may question the reach, cost, priorities or effectiveness of those policies.
Such disagreements are part of democratic politics. The proper response is to present evidence, explain policy choices and allow citizens to make their own assessments.
If the government believes that its achievements justify continued public support, it should communicate those achievements openly and defend its record through peaceful engagement.
Opposition parties must also be free to challenge government claims and offer alternatives.
The ballot box, rather than intimidation, is the legitimate means through which political competition is resolved.
No administration should regard criticism as a security threat merely because it comes from a rival party. Equally, opposition groups must be prepared to pursue their ambitions within the law.
Political competition becomes meaningful when citizens can hear different arguments and make independent decisions without coercion.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the government's handling of allegations of political violence will be an important issue in public discussions about governance, security and democratic accountability.
The consequences of a failure to prevent or impartially address political thuggery could extend beyond the immediate incident.
First, it could weaken public confidence in the government's ability to protect citizens. People expect government to provide security without discriminating on the basis of political affiliation.
Second, it could damage the state's reputation as a place where political parties can compete peacefully. Investors, businesses and residents all benefit from a stable environment in which disputes are managed through established institutions.
Third, it could deepen divisions among communities and political supporters. When citizens suspect that violence is tolerated against people with opposing views, mutual trust becomes more difficult to sustain.
Fourth, it could become a significant issue during electoral campaigns. Opposition parties may question the government's commitment to political freedom, while voters may examine whether the administration responded promptly and fairly to reported incidents.
These are possible consequences, not predetermined electoral outcomes.
The reaction of voters in 2027 will depend on a range of issues, including security, governance, public services, economic conditions and the credibility of competing candidates.
Nevertheless, the political implications of how the government responds should not be underestimated.
A government strengthens public confidence when it protects even those who criticise it. It risks undermining that confidence when citizens believe that their safety depends on whether they support the party in power.
Governor Mbah therefore has a strong public-interest reason to ensure that every allegation of political violence is treated seriously and addressed transparently.
Protecting the rights of opposition supporters should not be seen as a concession to political rivals. It is part of the constitutional responsibility of government.
Enugu occupies an important place in the political history and identity of southeastern Nigeria. The Coal City has a longstanding reputation as a centre of education, commerce, public service and political engagement.
That identity should be strengthened through a political culture that welcomes peaceful disagreement.
Political pluralism does not weaken a state. It provides citizens with opportunities to question authority, propose alternatives and participate in decisions affecting their future.
A healthy democracy does not require everybody to support the governor. It requires supporters and opponents alike to respect the law and recognise one another's rights.
The administration must therefore resist any temptation to equate political loyalty with good citizenship.
A resident who supports the APC is entitled to peaceful participation. A resident who supports the PDP or another opposition party enjoys the same right. A citizen who has not decided which party to support must equally be free to listen, ask questions and make an independent choice.
The same standard should apply to political candidates, their campaign organisations and their supporters.
Political leaders across party lines must understand that words and actions can either calm tensions or inflame them.
Responsible leadership requires restraint, especially when allegations emerge that could provoke retaliation.
The authorities must also ensure that peaceful political activity is not disrupted under the pretext of preventing violence. Public safety and democratic freedom should reinforce each other.
Enugu's future depends on its ability to maintain both.
The reported attack should prompt a practical response from the Enugu State Government and all relevant stakeholders.
Governor Mbah should ensure that the relevant security agencies establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those responsible where evidence permits and take appropriate legal action.
The police and other security agencies should provide protection for lawful political gatherings, assess credible threats and respond professionally to complaints from all political parties.
Political parties should publicly discourage their supporters from engaging in violence, threatening opponents or disrupting lawful meetings. Party leaders should also cooperate with investigations and avoid presenting unverified allegations as established facts.
Traditional rulers, town unions, religious leaders and civil society organisations can help reinforce the message that political disagreements must never become reasons for physical confrontation.
The media also has a responsibility to report allegations accurately, distinguish confirmed facts from claims and avoid publishing material that could unnecessarily inflame tensions.
Most importantly, the government should communicate its response clearly enough for the public to understand what has been investigated, what preventive steps have been taken and what further action is required.
Accountability should not be determined by the identity of the victim or the political affiliation of the alleged perpetrator.
That is how trust is built.
Governor Peter Mbah has an opportunity to reinforce a political environment in which democratic competition is conducted peacefully and every citizen feels protected by the state.
The alternative—a climate in which allegations of intimidation become recurring features of political life—would place unnecessary strain on public confidence and community relations.
No political ambition is worth the loss of innocent lives. No election victory can justify the intimidation of citizens. No party's desire to retain or gain power should take precedence over the safety and constitutional rights of the people.
The administration should therefore make it unmistakably clear that Enugu will not tolerate political violence, that opposition parties have the right to organise peacefully and that anyone who commits a crime will be dealt with according to the law.
The early 2000s should remain a reminder of the dangers associated with political intolerance, not a period whose troubling practices are repeated by a new generation of political actors.
Ndi Enugu deserve a state where a citizen can welcome a candidate without fear, attend a political rally without anxiety and cast a vote according to conscience.
They deserve a political environment in which the government is judged by its performance, the opposition by the strength of its alternatives, and all parties by their respect for the law.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, the message must be unmistakable as protecting the lives and rights of Ndi Enugu remain a responsibility that transcends party politics.
Enugu belongs to all its people.
Its peace must not be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition.
Comments
Comments are moderated. Be respectful. We remove abuse, spam and personal attacks.