Abuja, Nigeria – July 20, 2025
Jude Ezenwafor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State election, is recovering in a private hospital in Abuja after surviving a targeted gun attack late Friday night. The brazen assault, which occurred in the Wuse 2 area of the Federal Capital Territory, has reignited national concern over Nigeria's escalating political violence ahead of the crucial polls.
Attack Details and Immediate Aftermath
Sahara Reporters confirmed that Ezenwafor, a prominent Abuja-based real estate developer, was ambushed by unidentified gunmen while returning from a private engagement. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds, primarily to his legs, and is currently receiving medical treatment. Doctors are reportedly preparing for emergency surgery to remove bullets lodged in his body. Two other individuals traveling with him were also injured and are receiving care at an undisclosed medical facility.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility. Security agencies have launched an investigation, though no arrests had been made as of press time. Efforts to reach the Federal Capital Territory Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, for comment were unsuccessful.
Political Tensions and PDP Response
Ezenwafor’s candidacy, secured unopposed earlier this year after months of internal negotiations, is viewed as a strategic move by the PDP to reclaim lost political ground in Anambra State. The attack has prompted a swift and forceful response from the PDP. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba on Sunday, the party described the incident as a politically motivated assassination attempt.
The PDP alleged that "desperate individuals unsettled by Ezenwafor’s rising popularity" orchestrated the attack to prevent his participation in the election. The party also warned of intelligence suggesting further plots, including smear campaigns targeting the candidate, allegedly spearheaded by "anti-democratic elements" within Anambra State.
Blaming the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the deteriorating security situation, the PDP said, "This attack is another sad commentary on the alarming level of insecurity under the overtly insensitive, corrupt, and abysmally rudderless APC leadership." Despite the attempt on his life, the PDP vowed Ezenwafor would remain resolute in his ambition to contest and win the governorship. The party also called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure swift arrests and to bolster protection for the candidate.
Context of Rising Violence
The attack reflects a troubling rise in election-related violence in Nigeria. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates political violence surged by 40% between 2020 and 2024, with candidates and party officials increasingly targeted. A 2023 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report highlighted a 25% rise in politically motivated attacks since 2019, underscoring the growing risks faced by public figures as elections near.
Initial reports from Sahara Reporters confirming Ezenwafor’s survival were later muddled by conflicting accounts suggesting his death, exemplifying the confusion often surrounding such incidents. Media psychology research, such as a 2021 study in the Journal of Communication, emphasizes how fast-moving news cycles frequently yield inaccuracies during crisis reporting—a factor likely contributing to the chaos in this case.
Broader Implications
This incident underscores renewed concerns about the security of candidates ahead of the Anambra elections. Analysts warn of potential escalations if security measures are not urgently strengthened. Despite Nigeria’s 2015 endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration and pledges to investigate attacks on public figures, meaningful convictions in cases of political violence remain rare, as noted by the UNODC.
As investigations continue, this attack serves as a grim reminder of the threats facing Nigeria’s democracy. The PDP’s demand for justice and protection for Ezenwafor resonates as a broader call for stability and accountability in a nation grappling with deepening insecurity.
