Tinubu Risks Losing Enugu Votes Over Political Violence, PDP Chieftain Says | Sahara Reporters

He warned that the situation could trigger a protest vote against the President if the Federal Government is perceived as failing to intervene in the alleged political violence.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Basil Ani, has warned that growing political tension and alleged violence in Enugu State could affect President Bola Tinubu’s support in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ani, in a statement issued on Sunday, said anger over alleged attacks on PDP members and supporters was increasingly being directed at the Federal Government and, by extension, Tinubu.

He warned that the situation could trigger a protest vote against the President if the Federal Government is perceived as failing to intervene in the alleged political violence.

His comments followed a report by SaharaReporters on Saturday that thugs attacked a PDP meeting in Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area, on September 12, vandalising properties and disrupting the gathering.

Party members who spoke to SaharaReporters said the attack was the latest in a series of incidents targeting PDP meetings in parts of the state.

They also alleged that a PDP meeting in Obe Ward, Nkanu West LGA, was attacked on August 29, while another ward meeting in Akpugo Ward 3 was violently disrupted on August 16.

Ani said what began largely as opposition to the administration of Governor Peter Mbah was gradually assuming a wider dimension, with opposition politicians, traditional rulers and other citizens questioning the Federal Government’s response to the alleged incidents.

He said the latest attack in Agbani and the previous incidents had raised serious questions about the safety of opposition members and their ability to participate freely in political activities.

“The allegations are grave and raise a much larger question: Can citizens freely participate in political activities in Enugu State without fear of violence or intimidation?” he asked.

Ani said the incidents had generated concern among political stakeholders, particularly against the backdrop of what he described as the absence of publicly known arrests or decisive action over the alleged attacks.

He urged security and law-enforcement agencies to investigate the incidents and prosecute anyone found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation.

The PDP chieftain said the Federal Government should not view the situation solely through the prism of rivalry between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC), but as an issue concerning democratic stability.

“If PDP members are attacked, investigate it. If APC members are attacked, investigate it. If supporters of any other political party are attacked, investigate it,” he said.

Ani also warned that traditional rulers and religious leaders could influence the political calculations of their communities if they became convinced that the Federal Government was indifferent to the alleged victimisation of their people.

He said accounts emerging from political circles indicated that some traditional rulers and religious leaders who had previously supported arrangements aimed at securing Tinubu’s re-election, while backing their preferred candidates for state offices under the PDP, were now questioning whether such arrangements should continue.

According to him, some traditional rulers had reportedly told their subjects that if the President allowed the situation to continue unchecked, voters should consider expressing their displeasure at the ballot box in 2027.

Ani said the emergence of Chief Uche Nnaji as a major opposition figure and PDP governorship candidate had further intensified the political contest in the state.

He noted that perception could become as politically consequential as established facts, particularly where allegations remained unresolved.

“The President does not need to take sides in the Enugu political contest. He needs to take the side of democracy,” Ani said.

He warned that unresolved allegations, political violence and perceived official indifference could become major issues before voters in the 2027 elections.

Ani said growing anger against Mbah could become a political liability for Tinubu if the Federal Government was perceived as protecting, tolerating or ignoring the circumstances fuelling the resentment.

“The warning signs are already visible. The question is whether Abuja is paying attention,” he said.