The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathering that had been scheduled to take place at a community square in Obingwa LGA, Abia State, was suddenly moved to a different location, causing chaos on Friday. Operation Crush, a combined security outfit from Abia State, arrived unexpectedly, prompting the transfer.
The audience scattered in all directions before reassembling at a private location, where the meeting began, even though no PDP members were arrested or assaulted by the Operation Crush officers.
Rumour has it that the PDP gathering sprang from a solidarity visit that former appointees of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu made to him the day before.
An anonymous senior official from Obingwa LGA claimed that the PDP had not gotten the proper permits to gather in a public place, which could have jeopardised security.
He remembered that the previous administration had instituted a rule that forbade holding political gatherings in public spaces without official authorisation.
Obingwa LGA PDP chairman Aham Egbulefu, on the other hand, maintained that his party had secured permission to hold the ill-fated gathering.
The meeting’s organisers “did not mean well for Abia State” and were instead involved in “content creating auditioning,” according to Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, who is the chief press secretary to Governor Alex Otti.