Peter Obi's campaign convoy reportedly attacked in Calabar
- A media aide to Peter Obi said suspected thugs tried to attack his campaign convoy in Calabar.
- Obi had just arrived in the Cross River capital for a town hall with his wife and running mate.
- No injuries, arrests or identities of those involved have been confirmed in the reports.
Suspected political thugs reportedly tried to attack the campaign convoy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Calabar, Cross River State, on Wednesday.
The alarm was raised by Ester Umoh, a media aide to Obi, in a social media post. “Thugs are trying to attack our convoy,” she wrote, according to the reports.
The incident came shortly after Obi arrived in the Cross River capital with his wife, Margaret, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for a town hall meeting.
Details were still unclear on Wednesday evening. It was not known who the alleged attackers were, how far the attack went, or whether anyone was hurt, the reports said.
Why it matters
Safety at campaign events matters to ordinary Nigerians because crowded rallies and convoys often spill into busy roads and markets, putting traders, drivers and residents at risk alongside politicians and their supporters.
It also comes as political activity picks up ahead of the 2027 general elections, when voters will be watching how freely candidates can move and campaign across the country.
Wednesday's report echoes an earlier incident. About two months ago, Obi's convoy was reportedly disrupted in Benue State, where suspected thugs blocked Boko Road near an Air Force Base in an attempt to stop him from entering the state.
Separately on Wednesday, Laolu Akande, a former spokesman for ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, criticised Obi for not yet unveiling his manifesto two months before the 2027 election. Speaking on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily, Akande said Nigerian politicians generally pay little attention to documenting their plans for voters.
“Until now, we don't know anything about his manifesto,” he said of Obi.
What happens next
Nigerians should expect more word from the Obi campaign on what happened in Calabar. With campaigns intensifying, pressure is likely to grow on candidates to publish their manifestos and on security agencies to keep rallies and convoys safe.
