The Enugu State Government has alleged that opposition elements are planning to bring armed thugs and bandits into the state ahead of the 2027 elections. SSG Prof. Chidiebere Onyia also denied government involvement in incidents involving the NDC at the airport and its secretariat, saying the secretariat shooting remains under police investigation.
The Enugu State Government has alleged that some opposition elements are planning to bring armed thugs and bandits into the state to create panic and undermine public confidence in security 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, where he addressed Saturday’s incidents involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the party’s state secretariat.
Onyia denied allegations of government involvement in the incidents, particularly claims linking the Governor’s Chief Security Officer, Ifeanyi Osondu, to the shooting at the NDC secretariat.
He described the airport confrontation as a dispute involving the party and federal authorities, while stating that the shooting at the secretariat was under police investigation.
According to the SSG, the government’s preliminary findings indicated that the airport incident followed the NDC’s attempt to hold what it called a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at the facility without obtaining approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
He said the party had publicised the event and invited members and supporters, including through the Facebook page of its governorship candidate.
Onyia explained that the police had advised the party to obtain FAAN’s approval before security personnel could be deployed to provide protection for the gathering.
“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,” he said.
The SSG alleged that the party proceeded to mobilise supporters to the airport and attempted to gain entry, leading to a confrontation with airport authorities.
He said joint security operatives subsequently dispersed the party members and restored order around the facility, which he described as a strategic national asset.
Onyia maintained that the government’s account was consistent with the statement issued by the Enugu State Police Command on Sunday.
Addressing the shooting at the NDC state secretariat in the GRA area of Enugu, Onyia said security reports indicated that a violent clash had occurred and that the police were investigating the incident.
He disputed reports alleging that the incident had resulted in fatalities, stating that the government’s preliminary findings indicated that no one had died.
According to him, 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 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 Governor Mbah’s Chief Security Officer was at the secretariat and supervised the shooting.
He claimed that Osondu was with the governor at the Teachers Grassroots Movement mega rally at Okpara Square, Enugu, when the incident occurred.
Onyia further criticised the reported observance of a minute’s silence for a person he said was still alive, describing it as an attempt to mislead the public for political advantage.
The claims regarding the shooting, the casualty reports and the alleged involvement of the governor’s security officer were presented by the state government as part of its account of the incident, while the police investigation remained ongoing.
The SSG said Governor Peter Mbah had a responsibility to protect the lives and property of all residents, regardless of their religious beliefs or political affiliations.
He said the administration’s ambition to grow Enugu into a $30 billion economy and establish the state as a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living depended significantly on sustained peace and security.
According to him, this had informed the government’s investments in security infrastructure and operations over the past three years.
“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,” he said.
Onyia urged political parties and their candidates to exercise restraint and embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also called on political actors to exercise their democratic rights responsibly, arguing that parties should demonstrate decorum and integrity in their activities.
Questioning the NDC’s reported plan to hold a campaign event at the airport, the SSG said the party should have obtained the necessary authorisation from the relevant authorities.
He also criticised what he described as the use of a minute’s silence for political advantage, reiterating the government’s position that the individual concerned was alive.
Onyia accused opposition elements of attempting to portray Enugu as unsafe and the state government as intolerant of opposing political parties.
He further alleged that some opposition groups had been attributing internal disagreements and violent clashes to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Citing an incident that occurred at Obuofia in Nkanu West Local Government Area on September 12, 2026, the SSG claimed that investigations had identified the alleged perpetrators and that they were being prosecuted by the police.
He described the opposition as factionalised and alleged that some of its members were attempting to draw the state government into political controversies.
The SSG repeated the government’s allegation that some opposition elements were planning to bring armed thugs and bandits into Enugu to create panic and weaken public confidence in the state’s security ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, he did not publicly identify the alleged plotters or provide specific details of the reported plan during the press conference, according to the information contained in the statement.
“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.
Onyia said the Mbah administration remained committed to protecting residents’ democratic rights, including their freedom to campaign for and vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming elections.
He described the right of citizens to elect their leaders through free, fair and credible polls as fundamental to democratic development in the state.
The SSG expressed confidence that the governor’s record in office and delivery on campaign promises would secure him a second term in 2027.
“Indeed, these inalienable rights of Ndi Enugu to elect their leaders in free, fair and credible polls are our surest hope for re-election come 2027,” he said.
He maintained that the administration had no reason to resort to desperate measures, insisting that its performance would form the basis of its appeal to voters for a renewed mandate.
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