NDC rejects Enugu government’s claims on attack at airport

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State has rejected claims by the Enugu State Government that the NDC attempted to hold a “grand state-wide campaign flag-off” at the airport without approval.

The Secretary of the NDC in Enugu State, Emmanuel Nebo, said in a statement on Monday that the state government was trying to rewrite Saturday’s attack on party members and “shift blame onto the victims.”

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that some political thugs attacked NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, Enugu and carried out sporadic shootings at the party’s secretariat in Enugu State on Saturday during the party’s governorship campaign flag-off.

On Sunday, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, said findings showed the NDC tried to gather at the airport without approval.

Mr Onyia, a professor, also denied allegations that the state government was responsible for the attack.

But in the Monday statement, Mr Nebo said the government’s claim that the NDC attempted to hold the campaign flag-off at the airport without approval was false.

“Our supporters only gathered at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to welcome Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaforia upon his arrival.

“The main Campaign Flag-Off event was scheduled and held at his campaign office in GRA, Enugu – not inside the airport,” he said.

The NDC secretary said although the planned airport event was “simple,” the party had already formally notified all relevant security agencies.

The official attached copies of notification letters to the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, the State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The letters were signed by Ibuchukwu Obeta, chairman of the NDC in the state.

The NDC chairman informed the police commissioner that he was being notified of a “planned homecoming reception for our governorship candidate, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa” scheduled for 10 October at the airport.

“In view of the expected gathering, we respectfully request the deployment of adequate police personnel for security, crowd control and general protection before, during and after the event,” Mr Obeta appealed to the commissioner in the letter.

Mr Nebo also attached receipt of NDC’s payment to the Federal Airport Authority for the planned reception at the airport.

The NDC secretary said the letters were duly “received and stamped” on 8 October.

“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,” he said.

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Continuing, the official said: “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.”

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Attack at NDC office

Mr Nebo also said that although the state government claimed that no life was lost in the attack, the NDC was 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.

“One of our members was left lying in a pool of blood and rushed to hospital,” he said.

The secretary added: “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.”