The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the upcoming November 8, 2025, Anambra State election, Ambassador Jude Ezenwafor, narrowly escaped death on Friday night after being shot by unidentified gunmen in Abuja.
The shocking incident occurred around the Wuse 2 district as Ezenwafor was returning home from a private engagement.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, but sources close to the victim disclosed that the assailants targeted his lower limbs, leaving him with severe gunshot wounds to both legs. Two other individuals, whose identities were yet to be established as of press time, were also critically injured during the ambush.
According to insiders within the PDP, Ezenwafor, who emerged unopposed as the party’s governorship flagbearer, had been vocal about his dissatisfaction with internal party wranglings.
Some observers have begun speculating whether this might have made him a target, although no direct link has been officially established.
A party insider confirmed that the injured politician was rushed to a private hospital where he is currently receiving intensive medical care. Doctors, it was gathered, are preparing to perform surgical procedures to extract the bullets lodged in his legs.
News of the attack quickly circulated within party circles and the public, especially after videos showing the extent of his injuries surfaced on the PDP Anambra governorship forum.
In a brief but emotional message shared in the forum, Ezenwafor expressed gratitude to God for sparing his life, acknowledging the gravity of what could have been a fatal encounter.
When contacted on Saturday, one of Ezenwafor’s aides, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak officially, confirmed the incident. “Yes, it happened, but it’s not something I want to talk about now, please,” the aide stated curtly.
The attack has since drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters. The Ifeabata Students Movement, a youth group publicly aligned with Ezenwafor’s governorship ambition, issued a strong statement denouncing the ambush.
In a prayerful tone, the convener of the group, Emma Anyanechi, led a thanksgiving message to God for Ezenwafor’s survival while demanding justice.
He said, “Dear Almighty God, we the Ifeabata Students Movement come before You with hearts filled with gratitude and praise. Today, we express our profound thanks for Your divine protection and deliverance. You saved His Excellency, Ambassador Sir Jude C. Ezenwafor, from the clutches of a deadly ambush, shielding him from evil plans.”
Continuing, Anyanechi added, “We vehemently condemn the heinous act of ambush and aggression plotted against our leader. We pray that Your justice prevails and that all those responsible are held accountable.
“Thank You, Lord, for being our Rock, our Refuge, and our Saviour. May You continue to guide, protect, and grant our leader wisdom, strength, and courage. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”
In a similar vein, Chinedu Nsofor, a prominent PDP aspirant in the forthcoming Anambra South Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for August 16, also reacted with deep concern. Nsofor offered heartfelt prayers for peace and national healing in light of the alarming trend of political violence.
“I pray for divine intervention in our nation,” Nsofor declared. “May the Almighty God protect all genuine leaders and candidates from the traps of wickedness. I pray that the scourge of violence, terrorism, kidnapping, political thuggery, and assassination be completely eradicated from Nigeria.”
He continued, “May our military and security agencies be empowered and vigilant. I ask that the God of justice avenge every innocent blood shed by evil men. Let the peace of God reign across the North, South, East, and West of Nigeria.
“May no parent have to mourn a child because of politics, and may Nigeria rise again with a renewed era of safety, unity, and progress. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”
As of the time of this report, neither the security agencies nor the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command had issued an official statement on the attack.
However, there are growing calls for a thorough investigation to unmask the perpetrators and bring them to justice, especially as the political season in Anambra State intensifies.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of political actors in Nigeria and the disturbing resurgence of violence linked to election seasons.