TEXT OF A PRESS CONGERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT, PROF. CHIDIEBERE ONYIA, AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ENUGU, ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 11, 2026, ON THE AIRPORT AND PARTY SECRETARIAT INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE NDC AS WELL AS THE UNCOVERING OF PLOTS BY SOME OPPOSITION ELEMENTS TO IMPORT THUGS INTO THE STATE.
PREAMBLE
The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to the false reports associating it with the Saturday, October 10, 2026 incidents involving the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) and the party’s Enugu State Office at GRA, Enugu.
AIRPORT INCIDENT
The Airport incident was purely a matter between the NDC and federal authorities. However, as a responsible government that has invested huge resources in the peace and security of the state, we have taken steps to get to the facts of what might have transpired.
Our findings show that:
1. The Enugu State NDC published a notice inviting its supporters and members of the public to what it termed its “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. The same was published on the Facebook page of NDC’s gubernatorial candidate in the state.
2. It has also been established that the Police advised the party to first secure the approval of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) before it could draft its men to the airport for the event.
3. 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.
4. NDC, however, went ahead to mobilse its members to the airport for a flag-off of its statewide campaign and the attempt to forcibly gain entry into the facility resulted in a faceoff between them and the airport authorities.
5. This resulted in the intervention of security agencies, which dispersed the riotous party members to restore law and order within the vicinity of the highly strategic national asset.
6. The above are consistent with the statement of the Enugu State Police Command on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
INCIDENT AT THE NDC STATE SECRETARIAT
1. Security report has established a violent clash at the Enugu State Secretariat of the NDC on the same day, which is currently being investigated by the police.
2. Our findings also show that one Ifeanyi Nworie, a male, aged 43, sustained gunshot wound and was rushed to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, GRA Enugu, where he was stabilised and moved to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu for further check.
3. We can, therefore, authoritatively report that there were no deaths as falsely claimed by some reports and NDC leaders.
OUR STAND
It is important to note that the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, swore to an oath to protect lives and property of the good people and residents of Enugu State, regardless of creed and political affiliation. We also understand that our vision to build the state into a $30 billion economy and the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and for living depends highly on our ability to ensure security and peace. These account for the huge investments committed by the administration towards security and peace.
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.
We also believe that rights should come with responsibilities, and political parties should be true models of rectitude and politicians should embrace decorum and issues-based campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.
For instance, without holding brief for FAAN, is it not sheer rascality, to attempt to hold a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” of the NDC at the airport as publicised by the party and its gubernatorial candidate, especially without the approval by the appropriate authorities?
Is it not also mischief to falsely claim that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor was present and supervised shooting at the Enugu NDC Secretariat whereas he was, to the glare of all, with the Governor at the Teachers Grassroots Movement mega rally at Okpara Square, Enugu at the same time?
Is it not equally gross mischief and a sign of political desperation to hold a minute silence for a living person, just to mislead the public for political traction?
Indeed, it is equally important to highlight a consistent pattern by the opposition in Enugu State to create a siege atmosphere aimed at building the false impression that the state is unsafe and its government intolerant of the opposition.
For the avoidance of doubt, what we have on our hands are cases of the instigators and perpetrators playing the victim to gain political capital and curry public sympathy.
It has become clear to all that the only way the so-called Enugu State opposition parties could attain relevance is to draw the government into its self-inflicted controversies.
It is on record that the highly factionalised Enugu opposition parties have leadership tussles and internal squabbles that too often result in violent clashes, which they falsely and mischievously attribute to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. A case in point is the September 12, 2026 Obuofia, Nkanu West LGA incident where investigation had since revealed the real perpetrators, who are currently being prosecuted by the police.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has uncovered sinister plots by some opposition elements to procure the dangerous services of armed thugs and bandits to create panic and sense of insecurity in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections. 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.
NO BASIS FOR DESPERATE MEASURES ON OUR PART
For emphasis, the Enugu State Government led by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah reiterates its commitment to freedoms and democratic rights of the citizens, including the freedom to campaign or vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming general election.
Indeed, these inalienable rights of Ndi Enugu to elect their leaders in free, fair, and credible polls are our surest hope for reelection come 2027. We believe that Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has delivered profoundly on his campaign promises. So, as a government, there is no need for desperate measures on our part.
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