The Enugu State Government has alleged that some opposition elements are planning to bring armed thugs and bandits into the state to create fear and portray the state as insecure ahead of the 2027 general election.
The government also accused leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attempting to gain political advantage by holding a minute’s silence for a person it claimed was still alive.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, made the allegations during a press conference at Government House, Enugu, on Sunday night.
Onyia said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah would not compromise the peace and security it had maintained in the state over the past three years.
“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,” he said.
The SSG maintained that the government was committed to protecting residents’ democratic rights, including their freedom to support candidates and participate in the 2027 elections.
He expressed confidence that Mbah would secure a second term, arguing that the administration’s record and fulfilment of campaign promises would determine its chances at the polls.
Onyia said the government had no reason to resort to desperate political tactics, insisting that its performance would be presented to voters for consideration.
The government also addressed Saturday’s confrontation involving NDC members at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and a separate shooting incident at the party’s state secretariat in the GRA area of the state capital.
Onyia denied allegations that the state government or the governor’s Chief Security Officer, Ifeanyi Osondu, was involved in either incident.
According to him, the airport confrontation arose from the party’s attempt to organise a campaign event at the facility without obtaining approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
He said the NDC had publicised a planned event tagged “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” and invited its members and supporters to attend.
The SSG explained that the police had advised the organisers to secure FAAN’s authorisation before security personnel could be deployed for the proposed gathering.
“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,” Onyia said.
He alleged that the party proceeded to mobilise supporters to the airport and attempted to gain access, leading to a confrontation with airport authorities.
According to him, security personnel intervened to disperse the crowd and restore order at the facility, which he described as a strategic national asset.
Onyia added that the state government’s account was consistent with a statement issued by the Enugu State Police Command on Sunday.
On the shooting incident at the NDC secretariat, the SSG said preliminary security reports indicated that a violent clash had occurred at the party’s office and that the police were investigating the matter.
He disputed reports alleging that people died during the incident, saying the government’s findings indicated that no fatalities had been recorded.
Onyia disclosed that a 43-year-old man, identified as Ifeanyi Nworie, sustained a gunshot injury and was taken to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, where he was stabilised before being transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, for further examination.
“We can, therefore, authoritatively report that there were no deaths as falsely claimed by some reports and NDC leaders,” he said.
The SSG also rejected allegations that Osondu was present at the party secretariat or supervised the shooting.
He claimed that the governor’s security chief was at Okpara Square, Enugu, with Mbah during a Teachers Grassroots Movement mega rally when the incident occurred.
The government’s account of the incident remains its own position, while the police investigation is ongoing.
Onyia criticised the reported decision by NDC leaders to observe a minute’s silence for an individual he said was alive, describing the action as an attempt to mislead the public for political benefit.
He questioned the party’s decision to announce a statewide campaign flag-off at the airport without the approval of the relevant authorities.
“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?” he asked.
“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?” he added.
The SSG further alleged that some opposition elements were trying to create the impression that Enugu was unsafe and that the state government was hostile to opposition parties.
He also accused some groups of attributing internal disagreements and violent confrontations to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Reaffirming the government’s position, Onyia said Mbah was committed to protecting the lives and property of all residents, regardless of their political affiliations or religious beliefs.
He explained that maintaining peace was essential to the administration’s ambition of growing Enugu into a $30 billion economy and making it an attractive destination for investment, business, tourism and residential living.
The SSG said the state had invested substantially in security infrastructure and operations over the past three years to support those objectives.
“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,” he said.
He urged political parties and their candidates to exercise restraint, conduct issue-based campaigns and respect democratic principles ahead of the 2027 elections.
Onyia maintained that the right to campaign and assemble peacefully should be exercised responsibly, adding that political parties should demonstrate decorum and integrity throughout the electoral process.