Chief Jude Ezenwafor, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State election, was shot on the night of Friday, July 18, 2025, in Abuja by unknown gunmen, in what looks to be a targeted assassination attempt. The attack occurred in the Wuse 2 district of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory while Ezenwafor was going home from an appointment.
Immediately after the incident, Ezenwafor was transported to a private hospital in Abuja, where he is still undergoing medical treatment. Doctors are prepping him for surgery to remove many bullets lodged in his body, according to his statement from the hospital bed early Saturday morning. Ezenwafor described the terrible incident as a "near-death experience," reflecting the shock and severity of the attack.
Two people who were accompanied by Ezenwafor during the incident were also wounded and are getting treatment, although specifics on their condition remain restricted.
The PDP has verified the incident, but details remain hazy. The party’s media staff stated that Ezenwafor had several gunshot wounds and was instantly brought to the emergency unit. The party spokeswoman expressed worry but has not revealed complete details on his current health status. Security officials in Abuja have yet to issue an official statement on the incident. However, a PDP source verified that the attack was reported to the police, who have opened an inquiry into the incident. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police acknowledged they had not yet been formally informed and vowed to investigate when contacted.
Ezenwafor’s political background lends perspective to the incident's seriousness. He was formerly a presidential aspirant under the Labour Party before returning to the PDP, where he was recently confirmed as the party’s flagbearer for the highly anticipated Anambra governorship race later this year. The election is slated for November 8, 2025, and has become a focal point for political actors and parties in the southern Nigerian state.
Political violence and assassination attempts have sadly been recurrent in Nigerian elections, with governorship and other political candidates routinely targeted. This attack on Ezenwafor comes amid escalating political tensions and concerns about security in the lead-up to the election, where stakes are high for control of Anambra State, a significant political and economic hub in Nigeria.
The killing of Jude Ezenwafor has generated immediate reactions from political observers and civilians who are seeking a thorough inquiry to hold the criminals accountable and safeguard the safety of all political candidates. The incident raises serious questions regarding the security provisions for political actors in Abuja and across Nigeria at large, especially as the country prepares for multiple elections in 2025.
As Jude Ezenwafor recovers from his injuries, the PDP faces the difficulty of sustaining momentum in their campaign while navigating the ramifications of this violent act on the political atmosphere in Anambra State. Meanwhile, the authorities are under pressure to promptly identify and bring to jail those guilty of the assassination attempt to maintain democratic ideals and the rule of law in the lead-up to one of Nigeria’s critical electoral activities.
Updates will be crucial in the coming days regarding Ezenwafor's health status, the police investigation outcomes, and any security measures the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and government security agencies might institute to protect electoral candidates and the general populace ahead of the 2025 elections.
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