ENUGU POLITICAL VIOLENCE: NDC REBUTS GOVT’S NARRATIVE ON AIRPORT, CAMPAIGN OFFICE ATTACKS

October 13, 2026 • Dons Eze • 3 min read

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State under the leadership of our Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and Governorship Candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, has taken note of the press conference addressed by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on 11th October 2026.

We completely reject the government’s attempt to rewrite the events of Saturday, 10th October 2026, and to shift blame onto the victims.

On the Airport Incident:

The government falsely claimed that the NDC attempted to hold a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off” at the airport without approval. This is a deliberate distortion of the facts.

Our supporters only gathered at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to welcome Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa upon his arrival. The main Campaign Flag-Off event was scheduled and held at his campaign office in GRA, Enugu — not inside the airport.

Despite this simple and legitimate purpose, the party had already formally notified all relevant security agencies. Letters dated and received by:

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command
The Department of State Services (DSS), Enugu State Command
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Enugu State Sector Command

clearly informed them of the planned homecoming reception at the airport on 10th October 2026 at 9:00 a.m., and specifically requested security coverage. These letters were duly received and stamped on 8th October 2026.

Payment was also made to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for airport concession/reception purposes, as evidenced by the official FAAN receipt in our possession.

Importantly, FAAN itself has not issued any statement claiming that the NDC did not obtain permission. The Secretary to the Enugu State Government has no authority to speak on behalf of FAAN, a federal agency. The SSG cannot arrogate to himself the power to issue official positions for a federal institution. Let FAAN speak for itself.

Yet our peaceful supporters were denied entry, tear-gassed, shot at by the police, and attacked by thugs in the full presence of security operatives. Many vehicles were destroyed and several of our members, including Mr. Moses Arisi, sustained serious injuries.

On the Attack at the Campaign Office:

The government claims there were “no deaths” and that only one person was injured. While we are still verifying the final medical status of all injured persons, the fact remains that gunshots were fired at our peaceful gathering at the campaign office in GRA. Several of our members, including Kwankwasiya supporters Umar Abdulkarim, Muhammad Musa, and Hassan Gora, sustained gunshot injuries. One of our members was left lying in a pool of blood and rushed to hospital.

On the Obuoffia Attack:

The SSG also made reference to the 12th September 2026 attack on our members at Obuoffia. For the record, the star witness who filmed that attack, Mr. Ani Samuel Chidi, remains remanded in prison, while the eight suspects earlier arrested in connection with the shooting are freely moving about. This selective justice remains a clear indictment of the system.

Our Position:

The Enugu State Government’s statement is a deliberate attempt to cover up the failure of security agencies to protect peaceful citizens and to criminalise the opposition for exercising its constitutional right to assemble and welcome their candidate.

Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa remains undeterred. He has made it clear that the NDC will continue its peaceful, issue-based campaign and that no amount of violence or propaganda will stop the Rescue Mission for Ndi Enugu.

We demand an independent and transparent investigation into the attacks at both the airport and the campaign office. Those who ordered the tear-gassing, the shooting, and the thuggery must be held accountable.

The people of Enugu saw what happened. No amount of official denial can erase the videos, the injuries, the destroyed vehicles, and the blood of our members.

Signed:
Emmanuel Chukwujekwu Nebo
State Secretary
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Enugu State

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.