…Denies involvement in NDC incidents, says one person was injured, not killed
The Enugu State Government has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by opposition elements to bring armed thugs and bandits into the state to create panic and insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during a press conference at Government House, Enugu, where he also denied allegations linking the administration of Governor Peter Mbah to Saturday’s incidents involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the party’s state secretariat in Enugu.
Onyia said the state government’s findings indicated that the airport incident arose from a dispute between the NDC and federal authorities after the party allegedly attempted to hold a statewide campaign flag-off at the facility without obtaining the necessary approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
According to him, the Enugu State chapter of the NDC had published notices inviting supporters and members of the public to its “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at the airport. The event was also advertised on the Facebook page of the party’s governorship candidate.
The SSG said the police had advised the party to obtain FAAN’s approval before security personnel could be deployed to the airport for the event, but the party allegedly proceeded without securing the required authorisation.
“Further findings, however, revealed that the NDC did not secure the approval of FAAN to host a grand statewide rally at its facility. Security agencies, therefore, advised the organisers of the rally to rethink it,” Onyia said.
He added that the party nevertheless mobilised its members to the airport, where an attempt to gain entry into the facility allegedly resulted in a confrontation with airport authorities.
“This resulted in the intervention of security agencies, which dispersed the riotous party members to restore law and order within the vicinity of the highly strategic national asset,” he said.
Onyia maintained that the state government’s findings were consistent with the statement issued by the Enugu State Police Command on Sunday.
Government disputes reports of deaths at NDC secretariat
Addressing the violence at the NDC state secretariat in the GRA area of Enugu, the SSG said security reports had confirmed a violent clash at the party office on Saturday, adding that the police were investigating the incident.
He disclosed that a 43-year-old man, identified as Ifeanyi Nworie, sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, where he was stabilised before being transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, for further medical attention.
Onyia rejected reports alleging that people had died during the incident.
“We can, therefore, authoritatively report that there were no deaths as falsely claimed by some reports and NDC leaders,” he said.
The SSG also questioned allegations that the governor’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) was present at the NDC secretariat and supervised the shooting.
“Is it not also mischief to falsely claim that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor was present and supervised shooting at the Enugu NDC Secretariat whereas he was, to the glare of all, with the Governor at the Teachers Grassroots Movement mega rally at Okpara Square, Enugu, at the same time?” he asked.
He further accused opposition figures of attempting to exploit the incident for political advantage, questioning what he described as the decision to observe a minute’s silence for a person he said was still alive.
“Is it not equally gross mischief and a sign of political desperation to hold a minute silence for a living person, just to mislead the public for political traction?” Onyia queried.
Mbah condemns political violence
The SSG said Governor Mbah had sworn to protect the lives and property of all residents of Enugu State, irrespective of their political affiliations or religious beliefs.
He explained that maintaining peace and security was central to the administration’s ambition to grow Enugu into a $30 billion economy and make it a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living.
“Consequently, the Enugu State Government strongly condemns in its entirety, any form of violence, including politically induced violence in the state. We welcome healthy debate and freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” Onyia said.
He, however, insisted that political rights must be exercised responsibly and urged political parties and their candidates to embrace decorum and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Rights should come with responsibilities, and political parties should be true models of rectitude and politicians should embrace decorum and issues-based campaign ahead of the 2027 general election,” he said.
Questioning the NDC’s decision to announce a campaign flag-off at the airport without the approval of the relevant authorities, Onyia asked: “For instance, without holding brief for FAAN, is it not sheer rascality, to attempt to hold a ‘Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026’ of the NDC at the airport as publicised by the party and its gubernatorial candidate, especially without the approval by the appropriate authorities?”
SSG accuses opposition of creating insecurity narrative
Onyia alleged that opposition parties in Enugu had repeatedly attempted to create the impression that the state was unsafe and that the government was intolerant of dissent.
“Indeed, it is equally important to highlight a consistent pattern by the opposition in Enugu State to create a siege atmosphere aimed at building the false impression that the state is unsafe and its government intolerant of the opposition,” he said.
He accused opposition elements of portraying themselves as victims in incidents he claimed arose from their own internal disputes, adding that the government would not be drawn into what he described as self-inflicted controversies.
“For the avoidance of doubt, what we have on our hands are cases of the instigators and perpetrators playing the victim to gain political capital and curry public sympathy,” the SSG said.
He further alleged that factional disputes within opposition parties had repeatedly resulted in violent confrontations that were subsequently blamed on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
As an example, Onyia cited the September 12, 2026, incident at Obuofia in Nkanu West Local Government Area, claiming that investigations had identified the alleged perpetrators and that they were being prosecuted by the police.
The SSG did not provide further details of the alleged plot to bring armed thugs and bandits into Enugu State during the press conference, but insisted that the government would not allow the peace and security it had maintained to be undermined.
“We, however, make bold to say, that the peace and security we have achieved in Enugu State in the last three years and at huge material costs and sacrifices by our security agents are non-negotiable and irreversible,” he said.
Government insists it has no reason to resort to desperation
The Enugu State Government reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens’ democratic rights, including the freedom to campaign for and vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming general election.
Onyia said the administration believed its performance in office and delivery on campaign promises provided sufficient grounds to seek re-election without resorting to desperate measures.
“Indeed, these inalienable rights of Ndi Enugu to elect their leaders in free, fair, and credible polls are our surest hope for reelection come 2027. We believe that Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has delivered profoundly on his campaign promises. So, as a government, there is no need for desperate measures on our part,” he said.
