Suspected political thugs have reportedly attacked members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Okposhi Ward, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, destroying chairs and canopies during a gathering.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred when the party’s candidate for the Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Prince Emeka Irem, visited his ward chairman.
The source alleged that the attackers stormed the venue, damaged property and dispersed supporters who had gathered to welcome the candidate.
The eyewitness called on Governor Francis Nwifuru, security agencies and community leaders to intervene and prevent further political violence in the Ezza clan.
Similarly, Sir Chinedu Anyigor urged the governors’ representatives, local government chairmen and traditional rulers to address the reported attacks, warning that political disagreements should not lead to loss of lives or destruction of property.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Comrade Eze Oko Splendour, criticised an alleged directive requiring political gatherings in Ezza South Local Government Area to obtain prior approval from the council chairman, Chinedu Mkpuma.
Oko argued that peaceful political meetings were protected by the constitutional right to freedom of association and assembly. He urged security agencies to protect opposition parties and called on political stakeholders to resolve disagreements peacefully.
The concerns follow a separate attack on the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ezza South on October 22. Police confirmed that one person died and three others sustained gunshot injuries in the incident.
The reported APGA attack, the identities of those responsible and the allegations surrounding restrictions on political gatherings have yet to be independently established. There was no immediate response from the Ebonyi State Government or the relevant local government authorities.
