Opposition Governorship Candidates Storm Enugu Prison, Demand Release of Detained NDC Member

The governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress, and African Democratic Congress in Enugu State on Sunday stormed the Enugu Correctional Facility to demand the release of detained NDC member Ani Chidi.

Chidi, 45, was remanded in prison custody on October 5 by an Enugu East Magistrate’s Court sitting at Nkwo Nike over alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation.

He was arraigned following a video he recorded of an armed attack on NDC members during a ward meeting in Obuoffia Awkunanaw on September 12.

NDC governorship candidate Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, who led the delegation, described the detention as “a disturbing case of justice turned upside down”.

He questioned why the man who documented the attack was being prosecuted while the suspected attackers remained free.

PDP candidate Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji and ADC candidate Ozor Obodoeze Ocho joined the prison visit in a rare display of inter-party solidarity.

The delegation also visited Hon. Bright Emeka Ngene, a Labour Party member representing Enugu South Urban Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Ngene has been serving a seven-year prison sentence since 2024 over a case dating back to 2017 involving community development funds, yet he won his seat in the recent election while behind bars.

Ohaa appealed to elder statesmen across Enugu State to intervene before the political situation deteriorated further. He warned that the state risked descending into chaos if urgent action was not taken.

He also called on Governor Peter Mbah to create an environment where citizens could participate in elections without fear, urging him to stop what he described as the intimidation of opposition parties and their supporters.

The NDC had earlier issued a statement condemning the remand, saying, “It is shameful that the Nigeria Police Force would ignore the thugs who unleashed violence on our members and instead prosecute a member who recorded the incident”.

The party demanded Chidi’s “immediate and unconditional release” and accused the police of using their powers against opposition members.

The Enugu State Police Command, however, denied that Chidi was arrested merely for filming the attack. Police spokesman SP Daniel Ndukwe said Chidi was remanded for separate cybercrime and defamation offences, alleging he falsely identified three individuals as members of the armed group responsible for the attack.

The police stated that the case concerning the alleged attack on the NDC meeting remains under investigation at Zone 13 Headquarters in Ukpo, Anambra State.

The political tension in Enugu has escalated in recent weeks. On October 10, violence erupted near the Akanu Ibiam International Airport during a welcome event for Ohaa, and his campaign office in GRA was subsequently attacked, leaving multiple individuals with gunshot wounds.

The three opposition candidates issued a joint statement on Monday condemning the escalating political violence, saying it has moved beyond isolated party grievances to become “an escalating threat to peaceful democratic competition”.

They alleged that the state government, through the office of the Attorney General, arrested the star witness in the Obuoffia attack and detained him in Enugu Prison since October 5.

The September 12 attack on the NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia left eight people with gunshot injuries.

Those injured included Hon. Donald Onovo, ward chairman Hon. Maduka Ngene, Victor Onovo, Madam Ogbodo Gloria, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nelson Nnaemeka, Chinonso Nwagbara, and Obinna Daniel Owo.

Police had earlier arrested a traditional ruler, Igwe Obiora Igwesi, his brother and former House of Representatives member U.S.A. Igwesi, and eight others in connection with the attack following a petition by Chief G. Tagbo Ike, SAN.

The suspects were accused of conspiracy to commit felony, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault occasioning grievous harm, threatening violence and stealing.

The NDC has alleged that the suspects were released while its member who recorded the attack was detained . The police have not publicly confirmed the release of the suspects.

The controversy comes as political tensions continue to rise in Enugu ahead of the 2027 general elections.