Enugu APC Demands Apology From NDC Over Airport Incident, Disputes Death Claims

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has demanded an apology from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing the opposition party of misleading the public over incidents at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and its state secretariat.

The APC, through its state Publicity Secretary, Chief Uche Obute, said the NDC should acknowledge its alleged errors and apologise to residents of Enugu State and Nigerians.

The demand followed a press conference by the Enugu NDC, led by its state chairman, Emmanuel Chukwujekwu Nebo, in which the party challenged the account of the incidents presented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.

The NDC maintained that its plan at the airport on Saturday was to receive its governorship candidate, Chinyeaka Ohaa, rather than organise a statewide campaign flag-off as claimed by the state government.

The party also said it had notified relevant security agencies of the planned reception and made payments to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Regarding the reported shooting at its state secretariat, the NDC said it was still verifying the final medical status of those injured.

Reacting, Obute questioned the party’s position, particularly its statement about verifying the medical condition of those affected while observing a minute’s silence.

He accused the NDC of misleading the public for political advantage and alleged that the reported violence arose from internal disagreements within the party, rather than an attack orchestrated by the APC.

Obute also disputed the NDC’s claim that it had planned only an airport reception. He cited a Facebook post by Ohaa, which he said advertised the event as “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026,” scheduled for October 10 at Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

The APC spokesman commended the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, saying it had upheld the democratic rights of residents regardless of their political affiliations.

He urged opposition parties to concentrate on presenting their manifestoes and campaigning on issues rather than engaging in controversies that could heighten political tension.

The dispute followed separate accounts by the NDC and the Enugu State Government concerning the airport confrontation and an incident at the party’s secretariat. The state government had denied involvement in the airport incident, while the NDC rejected its explanation and accused authorities of shifting blame onto the party.

The conflicting accounts have intensified political exchanges in Enugu ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the circumstances surrounding the incidents remaining a point of contention between the parties.