The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has challenged the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to apologise to the people of the state and Nigerians over its handling of the weekend incidents involving the party at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and its state secretariat.
The APC, through its state Publicity Secretary, Chief Uche Obute, accused the NDC of misleading the public for political gains, particularly over its reported observance of a minute’s silence following the alleged shooting at its secretariat.
The party’s reaction followed a press conference addressed by the Enugu NDC Chairman, Emmanuel Chukwujekwu Nebo, who faulted the account of the incidents presented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Sunday.
The NDC had maintained that it planned only a reception at the airport for its governorship candidate, Chinyeaka Ohaa, rather than the “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off” alleged by the state government. It also claimed to have notified relevant law enforcement agencies and made payments to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
On the reported shooting at its state secretariat, the NDC said it was “still verifying the final medical status of all injured persons.”
However, Obute insisted that the party owed Enugu residents and Nigerians an unreserved apology, arguing that its account of the incident raised questions about its credibility.
“The question is: since the NDC was still verifying the final medical status of person or persons injured in their party fracas, how come they declared and observed a minute’s silence to mourn the living?” Obute asked.
He added: “The answer is simple: it was true to the factionalised Enugu NDC’s pattern to orchestrate violence among themselves and attribute it to Enugu APC to extract cheap political capital.
“It is also a validation of the commonly held view among the people that the Enugu State NDC and their governorship candidate, Chinyeaka Ohaa, would stop at nothing in their quest for power.”
The APC spokesman also rejected the NDC’s claim that its planned activity at the airport was merely a reception for Ohaa and not a campaign rally.
Citing a screenshot of a Facebook post by the NDC governorship candidate, Obute said the party’s promotional materials contradicted its explanation.
“Promotional materials and posts by Ohaa clearly read, ‘Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026. Date: Saturday, 10th October 2026; Venue: Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; Time: 9:00am,’” he added.
The APC commended Governor Peter Mbah’s administration for what it described as its commitment to protecting the freedom and democratic rights of Enugu residents, irrespective of political affiliation.
Obute urged opposition parties in the state to focus on presenting their policy proposals and campaign manifestoes rather than heightening political tension.
“Rather than stoking political tension to undermine the security and peace built by the Mbah Administration, we advise the Enugu opposition parties to present their manifestoes and campaign on them,” he stated.
