Umahi Denies Ordering Disruption Of Obi's Rally In Ebonyi

Ebonyi state Governor, Chief David Umahi has debunked the rumour making the rounds in meaningful quarters that he ordered the police to disrupt the solidarity rally for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for next year’s general election by his(Obi) supporters in Ebonyi State.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Mr Chooks Okoh described the allegation as untrue, adding that the Governor is certainly not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn't order any.

Okoh maintained that police had to come in to restore law and order when the members of the labour party could not pay, rather chose to empty into the streets causing some untold hardships on the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits.

However, it was gathered that there was an attempt to disrupt the rally by the police in the state who mobilzed to Pastoral Center, Abakaiki the state capital where the ‘Obidents’ converged to take off for the rally after they were asked to pay the sum of N4 million by the state government before they will be allowed to use Abakaiki Township Stadium for the event.

A team of Policemen, armed to teeth, had stormed the Pastoral Center and shot teargas to disperse the ‘Obidents’ who later regrouped and went on with the rally which halted human and vehicular movements in the metropolis throughout the over three hours the rally lasted.

Umahi in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Chooks Oko said he did not order for the disruption of the rally contrary to reports.

"The attention of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State have 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.