Over 10 PDP supporters hospitalised as violence erupts at defection rally in Ebonyi

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

No fewer than 10 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are receiving treatment in various hospitals across Ebonyi State after suspected political thugs disrupted a rally in Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area, leaving several people injured and property destroyed.

The violence, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, erupted during a reception organised to welcome former All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Ifeanyi Nworie, into the PDP.The political event was initially scheduled to hold at a roadside village square in the community.

 However, according to eyewitnesses, suspected thugs wearing T-shirts bearing the image of a federal lawmaker stormed the venue, forcing organisers to relocate the gathering to Nworie’s private residence.

The relocation did little to prevent the violence, as the attackers reportedly traced the participants to the new venue, where they unleashed a fresh wave of attacks. 

Several PDP supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries, while canopies, plastic chairs, public address systems and other valuables were vandalised during the invasion.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki following the incident, Ebonyi State PDP Chairman, Chukwuma Igwe, condemned the attack, describing it as a calculated assault on democracy and an attempt to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Igwe alleged that the attack was part of a growing pattern of intimidation against PDP members in the state, noting that supporters of the party had faced repeated threats and assaults in recent weeks.

He disclosed that vehicles were damaged, several persons were attacked with dangerous weapons and at least eight victims were receiving medical treatment following the latest violence.

“We have called this press conference to draw the attention of Nigeria and Nigerians to undemocratic actions deliberately orchestrated to undermine the conduct of the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State,” he said.

The PDP chairman called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Armed Forces and other relevant security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibilities by ensuring adequate protection for all political parties and guaranteeing a level playing field throughout the state.

He maintained that the PDP would not be intimidated by what he described as anti-democratic forces, regardless of those allegedly behind the attacks.

“As political activities commence in the coming days, we urge our members to remain peaceful and law-abiding. 

We also call on the Ebonyi State Government to play by the rules of democracy, bearing in mind that no one has a monopoly on violence or misconduct,” Igwe stated.

He further urged security agencies to remain impartial in the discharge of their duties and safeguard the constitutional rights of citizens to freely associate and participate in political activities.

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State chapter of the APC has distanced itself from the incident, insisting the ruling party had no involvement in the violence.Responding to the PDP’s allegation, APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, described the APC as a peaceful political party guided by the leadership style of Governor Francis Nwifuru, whom he said strongly opposes violence.

According to Emegha, individuals dissatisfied with Nworie’s political decisions may have masterminded the attack rather than members of the APC.”So far as it has to do with APC in Ebonyi State, we watch the body language of our dear Governor. 

He doesn’t want to offend anyone. As such, we must toe his path. There is no time APC will have a hand in violence because if anyone gets involved, the governor will abandon such a person,” he said.

He added that Governor Nwifuru believes political disagreements should never degenerate into violence, stressing that political opponents today could become allies tomorrow.

“People who are no longer comfortable with Ifeanyi Nworie’s political behaviour may be responsible for the incident,” Emegha added.

The violence also extended to members of the media covering the event.No fewer than 10 journalists travelling in the official vehicle of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, were reportedly attacked while on their way to the rally at the invitation of Nworie.

The assailants allegedly smashed parts of the NUJ-branded vehicle in an attempt to gain access to it and reportedly searched for fuel with the intention of setting it ablaze before the driver successfully manoeuvred out of the scene.

One of the alleged attackers, Mr. Friday Agbom, an APC chieftain and legal practitioner, reportedly warned the journalists against returning to the community, describing them as “political journalists.”

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the police regarding arrests or an investigation into the incident.