The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra State election, Chief Jude Ezenwafor, has narrowly escaped death following a brutal shooting by unidentified gunmen in Abuja.

Ezenwafor, who is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in the nation’s capital, was attacked on Friday night around Wuse 2, while returning from an appointment.

Speaking to journalists from his hospital bed in the early hours of Saturday, the visibly weakened politician confirmed he was shot and seriously injured during the incident.

 “I’m currently in the hospital. The doctors are making efforts to operate on me so they can pull out bullets from my body,” he said faintly, as medical personnel prepared him for surgery.

Two other individuals who were with Ezenwafor at the time of the attack were also reportedly shot, though their conditions remain unclear at the time of filing this report.

The motive behind the attack is still unknown, but it has sent shockwaves through political and security circles as preparations for the November 2025 Anambra governorship election intensify.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently conducting voter registration ahead of the polls, with political activity beginning to pick up across the state.

Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident. The PDP and Ezenwafor's campaign team are also expected to comment in the coming hours.

This attempted assassination raises serious concerns over the safety of political candidates and the increasingly volatile pre-election climate in Nigeria