Supporters Clash at NDC Convention in Abuja Leaving Several Injured

The inaugural national convention of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuja on Saturday, 9th May 2026, was marred by violent clashes between rival factions of the party, leaving several persons injured and the venue thrown into chaos.

The convention, which was held at the Los Angeles Event Centre along Ahmadu Bello Way in the Federal Capital Territory, had been earlier announced by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, as a gathering to elect national executive officers, adopt the party’s constitution, and present a comprehensive manifesto. Thousands of supporters and delegates had thronged the venue, causing a massive traffic gridlock that paralysed movement across the Central Area for hours.

Trouble reportedly started when a motion was called for the dissolution of the protem State Working Committee. Following the motion, suspected political thugs emerged and ordered everyone out of the venue. Witnesses said banners were torn down and scuffles broke out among rival supporters, forcing security operatives to intervene.

“They started by bringing down some of the banners and then ordered everyone out of the place. They joined the NDC just after Peter Obi defected to the party, now they want to hijack the entire structure,” an angry party member was quoted as saying.

The violence came barely a week after former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso defected to the NDC, a development that has significantly boosted the party’s national profile. Their arrival has also intensified internal struggles for control of the party’s structure across various states.

Addressing delegates at the convention, the NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, urged party members to eschew violence and embrace peaceful politics. Senator Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, spoke of his own experiences with political intimidation and the sacrifices required to build a resilient opposition.

“I resisted every pressure and inducement to join the ruling party — not because I hate anyone, but because some of us must make sacrifices to entrench democracy and preserve multi-party politics in Nigeria,” Senator Dickson told the gathering.

He further warned that the NDC must not descend into internal violence, saying, “I enjoin all our members and supporters to eschew violence, division, and acrimony, and espouse the NDC ideals of peaceful, respectful, and nonviolent politics of ideas. Nigeria must never be reduced to a one-party state. Through the NDC, Nigerians will continue to resist state capture, resist authoritarianism, and defend multi-party democracy”.

Despite the disruptions, the convention later continued, with delegates unanimously adopting a resolution zoning the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria for a single four-year term. The motion was moved by Afam Victor Ogene, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ogbaru Constituency of Anambra State.

Security personnel were heavily deployed around the convention ground to restore order and manage the surging crowd. The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the number of arrests made or the full extent of injuries sustained during the clashes.

Senator Dickson, in his closing remarks, assured Nigerians that the NDC remains committed to offering a better alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress. “The NDC was founded as an ideological party determined to do politics differently — politics of service, politics of dialogue, politics of consensus-building, politics of inclusion, politics of respect for all Nigerians,” he said.