A convoy transporting Nigerian opposition leader Peter Obi came under attack on Wednesday during a political visit to the city of Calabar. The incident took place shortly after Obi and his entourage left the palace of the Obong of Calabar, the traditional ruler of the city.
Assailants armed with machetes and sticks threw stones and various other objects at the traveling vehicles. The assault shattered windshields and triggered widespread panic among local traders and supporters gathered in the area.
The Cross River State Police Command announced that a 27-year-old suspect had been taken into custody following the incident. Police identified the detained individual as Victor Edet Yellow Duke and stated that an investigation is underway.
Obi was traveling to attend a town hall meeting organized by his Nigeria Democratic Congress party at the time of the ambush. This event follows a similar security incident days earlier that targeted African Action Congress presidential hopeful Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State.
Political parties across the country are ramping up preparations for the 2027 general elections. President Bola Tinubu is seeking a second term in office under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Obi have presented competing policy proposals. Their platforms focus primarily on addressing persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges nationwide.
Nigeria has a long history of election-related violence, which frequently includes targeted attacks on political supporters, voter intimidation, and violent clashes between rival political groups.
The upcoming general election will take place amid deep national concerns regarding security, economic recovery, and the overall stability of the country’s democratic institutions.
