Enugu State Government has raised alarm over an alleged plot by some opposition elements to import armed thugs and bandits into the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, made the allegation on Sunday during a press conference at the Government House, Enugu, while addressing Saturday’s separate incidents involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the party’s state secretariat in the GRA area.
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Airport Incident: NDC Accused of Flouting FAAN Approval
According to the SSG, the airport confrontation arose after the NDC allegedly attempted to hold what it termed a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at the facility without obtaining approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Onyia said the party had publicised the event through its state chapter and the social media page of its governorship candidate, despite police advice to first secure FAAN’s authorization before security personnel could be deployed.
“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 stated.
He alleged that the party proceeded to mobilise its members to the airport, and an attempt to forcibly gain entry into the facility resulted in a face-off with airport authorities. Security agencies subsequently intervened to disperse the party members and restore order around what he described as a strategic national asset.
The SSG said the government’s findings were consistent with the statement issued by the Enugu State Police Command on Sunday.
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Secretariat Shooting: One Injured, No Deaths Recorded
Addressing the violence at the NDC state secretariat in GRA, Enugu, Onyia said security reports established that a violent clash occurred and that the police were investigating the matter.
He disputed reports of fatalities, stating that the government’s findings indicated that no death had occurred.
According to the SSG, one Ifeanyi Nworie, 43, 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 examination.
“We can, therefore, authoritatively report that there were no deaths as falsely claimed by some reports and NDC leaders,” Onyia said.
The SSG also denied allegations that the governor’s Chief Security Officer was present at the party secretariat and supervised the shooting. He claimed the security officer was with Governor Peter Mbah at the Teachers Grassroots Movement mega rally at Okpara Square, Enugu, at the time of the incident.
Onyia further criticised the NDC for allegedly observing a minute’s silence for a person he claimed was still alive, describing the action as an attempt to mislead the public and gain political sympathy.
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Government Alleges Opposition Plot, Condemns Political Violence
The SSG alleged that the state government had uncovered plans by some opposition elements to engage armed thugs and bandits to create panic and a false sense of insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections, though he did not provide specific details of the alleged plot during the press conference.
He also accused opposition parties in the state of repeatedly portraying Enugu as unsafe and the Mbah administration as intolerant of dissent.
Citing the September 12, 2026 incident at Obuofia in Nkanu West Local Government Area, Onyia claimed investigations had identified the perpetrators and that they were being prosecuted by the police.
“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,” he said.
The SSG urged political parties and their candidates to exercise restraint and embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, maintaining that the government would not allow the peace and security recorded in the state over the past three years to be undermined.
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Background Context
The allegations come amid rising concerns over political thuggery across several states since campaigns commenced, with both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the NDC reporting attacks on their members in different parts of Enugu State. The NDC had previously accused “state-sponsored thugs” of attacking its members during a grassroots meeting in Nkanu West Local Government Area in September 2026.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered a thorough investigation into the reported shooting at the NDC secretariat while calling on political parties to shun violence and conduct their activities within the law.
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