Mbah Denies Ordering Cancellation of Peter Obi’s Enugu Town Hall Meeting

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has denied allegations that he ordered the management of a private event centre to stop a town hall meeting organised by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) featuring its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Mbah described the allegation as false, insisting that he did not issue any directive to prevent the organisers from using the facility.

The governor made his position known in a statement posted on his social media account on Wednesday while reacting to a video circulating online over the controversy.

“My attention has just been drawn to a video circulating on some social media platforms, alleging that I gave an order denying a political party use of a private facility for their town hall event. This is preposterous and utter falsehood, because I did not,” he stated.

Mbah accused the opposition of attempting to attract public attention through what he described as unfounded allegations.

He acknowledged that democracy guarantees freedom of expression but warned that such freedom should not be used to defame individuals.

“Democracy also offers avenues to seek redress. So, let it be known that there are redlines that should never be crossed,” the governor added.

The controversy followed allegations by Princess Ada Ogbu, the NDC senatorial candidate for Enugu East, that efforts were being made to prevent Obi’s town hall meeting from holding in the state.

In a video circulated online, Ogbu claimed that the organisers had paid ₦3.5 million for the hall and an additional ₦500,000 for the surrounding space but were subsequently prevented from preparing the venue for the event.

She alleged that the move was politically motivated and insisted that the organisers would resist any attempt to stop the meeting.

The event was scheduled to feature Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate who is now seeking the presidency under the NDC, as part of his engagement with supporters and residents ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The allegations generated reactions among political stakeholders and supporters, with some accusing the state government of interfering in opposition activities.

However, Mbah maintained that he had no involvement in the decision concerning the private facility.

The development comes amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, as parties and their candidates intensify engagements with supporters across the country.

The dispute has also drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the venue’s withdrawal and the competing accounts provided by the organisers and the governor.