“For record purposes, the relevant government agencies in Ebonyi had approved the use of Abakaliki township stadium for a rally by the Labour Party subject to the payment of some specified fees. Rather than pay the fees, it was gathered, the organizers chose to empty into the streets causing some untold hardships on the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits. The police, we are told, had to step in to restore law and order.”
By Emma Ogbuehi
The governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, has explained why a rally by the supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, in the State capital on Saturday was disrupted by the police.
Umahi, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, dissociated himself from the disruption.
Umahi, who said he is a democrat and believes firmly in the rule of law, explained that the relevant government agencies had approved the use of Abakaliki township stadium for a rally by the Labour Party subject to the payment of some specified fees.
Rather than pay the fees, the governor said the organizers of the rally chose to empty into the streets causing some untold hardships on the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits.
Umahi said the police, whose responsibility it is to maintain law and order, stepped in at that point to do the needful, hence the disruption.
But he insisted it had nothing to do with him.
“If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police,” the governor said.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the Police in Ebonyi on Saturday teargassed and violently dispersed residents who gathered in Abakaliki, the State capital to stage a one-million-man match in support of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The supporters, however, quickly regrouped in another part of the city and continued with their march.
The Obidient movement, as the supporters are popularly called, had gathered at the Pastoral Centre, Abakaliki for the march when police stormed the area and dispersed them with teargas.
The incident caused human and vehicular traffic on the popular Old Enugu road in the capital city on Saturday morning.
One of the marchers, Steve Ugama, alleged that aside dispersing and tear-gassing the supporters, about five of his colleagues were arrested by the police.
He said: “This is inhuman and undemocratic. We have gathered here this morning for our peaceful march, all of a sudden, the police came and started tear-gassing us and arresting our people.
“They said we can’t hold the march, because Governor David Umahi asked them to stop us, that we can’t hold it. About four of our colleagues have been arrested. We need help here.”
When contacted, Mr. Chooks Oko, Special Assistant to Governor Umahi on Media and Strategy, said he was preparing a press statement.
“Give me some time. I will issue a press release on the matter and I will send it to you,” he told TheNiche.
In a text message he sent to TheNiche, Mr. Oko said, “The Executive Governor of Ebonyi state is certainly not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn’t order any. He is a democrat who believes firmly in the rule of law.
“He wishes every contending politician the very best and will insist on a level playing ground for all. If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police.”
He later issued a formal press statement where he explained what happened and what the governor knew about it.
Titled, “The Governor ordered no disruption,” the statement read: “The attention of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State has been drawn to some online publications and rumours making the rounds that he ordered the disruption of a gathering in support of one of the presidential candidates in the 2023 elections. This is not true
“The Executive Governor of Ebonyi state is certainly not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn’t order any. He is a democrat who believes firmly in the rule of law. He wishes every contending politician the very best and will insist on a level playing ground for all. If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police.
“For record purposes, the relevant government agencies had approved the use of Abakaliki township stadium for a rally by the Labour Party subject to the payment of some specified fees. Rather than pay the fees, it was gathered, the organizers chose to empty into the streets causing some untold hardships on the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits.
“The police, we are told, had to step in to restore law and order.
“The Governor appeals to all citizens to always abide by the dictates of the law and decent living so that law and order will always reign supreme.
“He wishes all political parties and their candidates well and enjoins all to play the game by the rules.”
