The party’s response came after the Enugu State Government dismissed allegations that suspected political thugs attacked its governorship candidate, Sir Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa, and supporters during the event, which reportedly ended in violence.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, the incident involved alleged attacks at the airport and later at the NDC secretariat in the Government Reserved Area (GRA). One person was reportedly shot, while several party members and journalists were said to have sustained injuries.
The identity and condition of the shooting victim have been described differently in accounts of the incident.
The Enugu State Government, through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, had rejected the NDC’s allegations, arguing that the party failed to obtain approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to organise what it described as a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off” at the airport.
Onyia reportedly described the party’s attempt as “sheer rascality” and denied that anyone had died. He identified the injured man as 43-year-old Ifeanyi Nworie and said he was in stable condition.
In a rebuttal issued on Monday, the NDC presented copies of letters dated October 8, 2026, addressed to the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The letters, signed by the party’s Enugu State Chairman, Engr. Ibuchukwu Obeta, notified the agencies of a planned homecoming reception for Ohaa on Saturday, October 10, at 9:00 a.m. at Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
The party requested security deployment, crowd control and traffic management, citing the expected attendance of members, supporters and party executives from the state’s 17 local government areas.
One of the letters to the police stated that the party was committed to conducting a peaceful and orderly event and would cooperate with security agencies.
Copies of the documents reportedly carried official receiving stamps dated October 8. The DSS copy also contained a handwritten note indicating that the original document had been collected by a person identified as Becky Eze.
The NDC further released a FAAN receipt dated August 12, 2026, issued to Chime Donatus Uchenna for an “Advert Concession (Reception)” at the airport. The receipt showed a payment of ₦100,000.
The party argued that the documents supported its position that it had taken steps to notify relevant authorities and make arrangements for the gathering.
However, the documentation does not, by itself, establish whether the party obtained every approval required to conduct a campaign flag-off within airport premises.
There is also a discrepancy between the NDC’s description of the gathering as a homecoming reception and its campaign publicity. A promotional flyer circulated by the party for the same date reportedly advertised a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-Off” at the airport, with 9:00 a.m. listed as the starting time for the statewide campaign.
The difference between the description in the notification letters and the wording on the campaign flyer is likely to remain central to the dispute over the event’s purpose and the approvals required.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command had confirmed that an incident occurred, stating that a man was shot while repairing a vehicle in front of the NDC secretariat and that the windscreens of five vehicles were damaged.
The police identified the victim as being in stable condition and said the State Criminal Investigation Department had been directed to investigate the incident and apprehend those responsible.
The command also said joint police and military operatives dispersed suspected NDC members gathered in a disorderly manner at the airport entrance at about 11:30 a.m. following a misunderstanding with airport authorities over restricted access.
The NDC, however, alleged that its supporters were tear-gassed and attacked by suspected political thugs during the incident. It called for an independent investigation into the reported violence and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.
The party also urged the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged attackers, insisting that the incident would not derail its political activities or its MEGA agenda, meaning “Make Enugu Great Again.”
The state government has maintained its position that the party failed to obtain the necessary airport approval, while the NDC insists that it followed due process by notifying relevant agencies and making arrangements for the gathering.
With both sides maintaining different accounts, the circumstances surrounding the violence, the extent of the approvals obtained and the identities of those responsible for the reported attacks remain issues requiring clarification through an impartial investigation.
The dispute has added to political tensions in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the NDC demanding accountability and assurances that opposition parties can conduct lawful political activities without intimidation.
