…APC denies responsibility, says allegation baseless
The Enugu State Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged disruption of two political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council denied allegations that it sponsored the incidents.
The incidents, which occurred on Saturday, September 12, involved a ward meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted the NDC meeting with sporadic shooting, leaving two attendees injured.
In the second incident, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for the PDP rally at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
Following the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.
The Command said its operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of public order and track down fleeing suspects.
The Police, however, disclosed that neither of the political gatherings had been preceded by notification to the Command or a request for security coverage.
Giwa consequently reiterated his warning to political parties and their supporters against violence as political activities intensify ahead of the forthcoming elections.
He urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the Police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
The commissioner warned against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace and the electoral process, assuring residents that the Command would deal decisively with anyone found to have violated the law.
Reacting to reports of the incidents, the APC in Nkanu West condemned the disruption of opposition political activities, describing such actions as “antithetical to the tenets of democracy and political participation.”
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Chinedu Hillary Nnaji, on Sunday, the party said it was “deeply concerned” about the development and strongly condemned any attempt to disrupt political activities.
The APC, however, rejected allegations that it sponsored the reported incidents, describing the claims as unfounded and baseless.
The party argued that the opposition parties had been experiencing internal disputes and cited reported divisions within the NDC and PDP as possible factors requiring investigation.
On the NDC, the APC alleged that its primary election in Enugu was characterised by irregularities, political intimidation, violence and allegations of financial extortion of aspirants, which it said had contributed to parallel leadership structures, court cases and strained political relations.
The APC also pointed to the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP, saying the party’s disputes had extended to issues involving its national leadership.
The Nkanu West APC said it remained “formidable and ready to participate honourably in the campaigns and elections,” while calling on its supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
It urged its supporters and the general public to disregard allegations linking the party to the reported disruptions, insisting that it remained committed to peaceful political participation, democratic principles and the rule of law.
The party also called on the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incidents and determine what actually transpired.
The developments come as political activities intensify in Nkanu West ahead of the forthcoming elections, with the Police Command warning political parties and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and in accordance with the law.
With investigations now underway, the Police are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the two incidents and identify those responsible for the alleged violence and destruction.
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