Three opposition governorship candidates in Enugu State have visited Enugu Prison to show solidarity with detained members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and a sitting lawmaker currently serving a jail term. The visit, which was captured in a video that is now trending on social media, signals growing unease among parties outside the ruling structure in the state.
Candidates Show Solidarity with Detained NDC Members
The candidates, representing the NDC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the visit following the arrest of NDC members who were accused of cyberbullying after they recorded a video during an attack on an NDC event. The delegation aimed to express support for the detained party members and to draw attention to their situation.
Speaking at the prison, NDC governorship candidate Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa appealed to elder statesmen across Enugu State to step in before the political situation deteriorated further. He warned that the state risked descending into chaos if urgent action was not taken.
Ohaa Urges Governor Mbah to End Intimidation
Ohaa 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 appeal underscores the tense political atmosphere in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation's visit is seen as a move to highlight the challenges faced by opposition parties in the state, with Ohaa's remarks suggesting that informal channels of mediation may be the next step in easing tensions.
Ngene's Case Draws Attention
The delegation also visited Hon. Bright Emeka Ngene, a Labour Party member who represents Enugu South Urban Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly. Ngene has been serving a seven-year prison sentence over a case that dates back to 2017, which involved community development funds. He was sentenced in 2024.
Despite being behind bars, Ngene won his seat in the recently concluded election, making his situation one of the more unusual cases in Enugu's current political climate. His victory while incarcerated has sparked discussions about the electoral process and the rights of prisoners to participate in politics.
The opposition candidates' prison visit signals growing unease among parties outside the ruling structure in Enugu State, with Ohaa's appeal to elder statesmen suggesting that informal channels of mediation may be the next step in easing tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. The video of the visit continues to circulate on social media, drawing reactions from across the country.
