Donald Duke Warns of Systemic Political Crisis as Delta APC Media Strategist Addresses Fatal Asaba Rally Clash
Appearing on Arise News, former Governor of Cross River State and People's Redemption Party (PRP) 2027 presidential candidate, Donald Duke, raised alarms over the growing spate of political violence and opposition suppression across Nigeria.
Duke cautioned that if political actors continue to deploy state apparatuses, police indifference, and sponsored thugs against opposition campaigns, the nation risks spiraling into a severe political crisis before the 2027 general elections.
Addressing a recent violent incident in Asaba, Delta State—where a procession organized in support of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) resulted in one death and multiple injuries—Kenny Okolugbo, member of the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council Media Committee, clarified the party's position.
While noting that security directives advised holding political gatherings in enclosed venues to prevent clashes, Okolugbo condemned the mob lynching of Chinanca Sunday, a task force member who was overpowered and killed during the altercations.
"When you have overpowered somebody and outnumbered them... you cannot call that self-defense. That was murder. If this becomes a culture, those coming after us will continue it, and violence alone will paralyze all political activities." — Kenny Okolugbo, Member, Delta State APC Campaign Council Media Committee
Deep-Dive Analysis
Key Issues Unpacked on Arise News
The broadcast examined rising political violence, police intelligence advisories, and the breakdown of rally security across geopolitical zones:
- Warning on Precedent and Political Intimidation: Donald Duke emphasized that using violent disruption as a campaign strategy establishes dangerous legal and social precedents. He warned that if ruling parties deploy violence in their strongholds, opposition groups will retaliate in other regions, threatening overall electoral activity nationwide.
- Asaba Rally Violence & Incident Context: Following a procession organized by supporters of Peter Obi and the NDC in Asaba, violence erupted leading to one fatality and five casualties. Former Senator Ovie Omo-Agege labeled the incident sponsored state terrorism, while the Delta State Government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for political thuggery.
- Mob Action vs. Self-Defense: Addressing video footage of the incident, Okolugbo admitted that NDC vehicles were vandalized, but insisted that the subsequent beating and mob execution of task force member Chinanca Sunday—after he had been disarmed and extracted from a drainage ditch—constituted extrajudicial murder rather than self-defense.
- Police Intelligence Advisories & Rally Formats: Okolugbo defended law enforcement intelligence directives, stating the Nigeria Police Command had advised political groups to conduct campaign events within enclosed venues like Grand Hotel in Asaba to guarantee perimeter security, rather than undertaking high-risk street processions.
- Ensuring Security for Opposition Parties: Questioned on whether the Delta State Government will protect opposition rallies, Okolugbo maintained that the police structure remains under federal authority, urging all political movements to follow security advisories, adhere to issue-based campaign rhetoric, and refrain from inciting overzealous supporters.
Security Incident & Policy Assessment
Aspect | Political / Campaign Position | Analytical & Security Context |
National Security Warning | Donald Duke (PRP Presidential Candidate) | Warns that institutional suppression and rally violence threaten the viability of the 2027 elections. |
Asaba Incident Cause | Opposition Allegations (NDC / Omo-Agege) | Claims APC-sponsored thugs attacked peaceful street procession supporters in Asaba. |
APC Media Response | Kenny Okolugbo (Delta APC Campaign Council) | Cites police advisories restricting street walks; condemns extrajudicial mob killing of task force member. |
Law Enforcement Mandate | Nigeria Police Force (Delta Command) | Initiated investigation into the fatality; urges all political parties to utilize enclosed venues for campaign security. |
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