Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have differed over claims of arrest and intimidation of opposition figures in the state.
ADC chairman in the state, Comrade Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, and the party’s national financial secretary, Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dahaltu, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state of harassing, intimidating and arresting ADC members.
The duo made the disclosure during the Leadership Summit of the ADC and the National Coalition Alliance (NCA) held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
But Nwifuru, through his special assistant on Inter-Party Affairs, Comrade Sunday Nwanbam, denied any government involvement or security operatives in the said attack.
Accusing the APC government of intimidation, Adibe said the state governor had failed in his promise to allow a level playing ground for all political parties in the state. He said the opposition parties are now facing intimidation and harassment from the same government.
“This is a governor who claimed to have given all parties a level playing field, yet our members were harassed and arrested by unidentified persons, not even police.
“Citizens have a constitutional right to belong to any political party of their choice. Thankfully, the police listened to us, released everyone, and returned all seized properties”.
Similarly, the national financial secretary of the party, Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dahaltu, said intimidation has become a trademark of APC-led governments.
He said “This disruption is no surprise to us. From Kebbi to Kaduna, APC has always used touts and security forces to frustrate us. But Nigerians are tired of their failures. The Eight years of Buhari’s administration and the current administration’s is enough proof that the party has failed Nigerians. Who in his right senses will vote APC again in 2027?”.
LEADERSHIP gathered that six ADC members were arrested shortly before the commencement of the summit by unidentified persons and taken to the Police but were later released following the intervention of some stakeholders.
The one day summit, initially billed to hold at the People’s Club, Abakaliki was reportedly disrupted by the unidentified persons but later shifted to Akadike Suite, Abakaliki.
Reacting to ADC’s attack claims, Nwanbam said “There was no crisis between political parties in Ebonyi State to warrant such an attack. The government cannot come so low to embark on such acts,” Nwanbam said.
He said “since the 2023 general elections, we have not witnessed any political crisis in the state because of the peaceful disposition of Governor Nwifuru. The government does not discriminate—whether APC, PDP, Labour Party, or ADC, all parties are working together in Ebonyi,” he stated.
Nwanbam urged political parties to operate peacefully and notify security agencies when organizing meetings. He emphasized that the government was unaware of the alleged attack and had not received any formal report.
“Our responsibility is to protect the interests of Ebonyi people who voted for this government. Nobody notified me or the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) chairman about any meeting or alleged attack. The government is not aware of it, and it has nothing to do with us,” he insisted.
He further advised opposition parties to maintain an official office address for ease of communication and coordination adding that Governor Nwifuru’s administration is committed to sustaining peace and inclusiveness across the political spectrum.
