Enugu NDC Attack: Mbah’s Aide Questions Approval for Political Gathering at Airport

Dan Nwomeh, Senior Special Assistant on Mainstream Media to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, has questioned the authorisation for a political gathering at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport following an attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Nwomeh raised the questions in a post on his official Facebook page after suspected political thugs reportedly attacked NDC members who had gathered at the airport on Saturday to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Chinyeaka Ohaa.

He questioned who approved the gathering at the international airport and whether the organisers obtained clearance from the relevant authorities.

“Who organises a campaign rally at an airport, of all places?” he asked.

Nwomeh also questioned whether approval had been obtained from the police, the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) or another relevant agency.

He wondered whether the organisers had secured the necessary authorisation or proceeded with the gathering without following the required procedures.

The incident reportedly began at the airport, where NDC supporters had assembled ahead of Ohaa’s arrival. The supporters were subsequently attacked, with reports of sporadic gunshots, injuries and damage to vehicles.

The violence later extended to the NDC state secretariat in Enugu, where the party was scheduled to hold its governorship campaign flag-off.

The NDC has rejected claims by the state government that it attempted to hold a campaign rally at the airport without approval. The party said its supporters were there to welcome Ohaa and maintained that it had notified security agencies and paid the relevant airport charges.

The Enugu State Government has denied involvement in the attacks, while the police have ordered an investigation into the incidents.

The attacks have generated reactions from opposition parties, with the NDC, African Democratic Congress and Peoples Democratic Party condemning the violence and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.

The incident has renewed concerns about political violence and the safety of opposition parties as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.