The Enugu State Government has disowned the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) airport rally incident, saying the party attempted to hold a statewide campaign flag-off at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport without the approval of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Sunday while addressing a press conference at Government House, Enugu, on the airport incident, a separate clash at the party’s state secretariat and alleged plots by opposition elements to import armed thugs and bandits into the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Onyia said the government’s findings showed that the police had advised the NDC to obtain FAAN’s approval before deploying security personnel to the airport, but the party proceeded to mobilise its supporters, resulting in a confrontation with airport authorities when they allegedly attempted to force their way into the facility.

He said the incident was a matter between the party and federal authorities, adding that security agencies intervened to restore order around the strategic national asset.

On the clash at the NDC secretariat in Enugu, the SSG said investigations had established that one Ifeanyi Nworie, 43, sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, before being transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, for further examination.

He declared that “there were no deaths as falsely claimed by some reports and NDC leaders.”

The government also denied allegations that the Governor’s Chief Security Officer was present at the secretariat and supervised the shooting, insisting that he was with Governor Peter Mbah at the Teachers Grassroots Movement rally at Okpara Square at the time.

Condemning political violence, Onyia said the state government remained committed to protecting lives and property, irrespective of political affiliation, but accused opposition elements of manufacturing controversies to portray Enugu as unsafe and its government as intolerant.

“For the avoidance of doubt, what we have on our hands are cases of the instigators and perpetrators playing the victim to gain political capital and curry public sympathy,” he said.

The SSG further alleged that the government had uncovered plots by some opposition elements to procure armed thugs and bandits to create panic and insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that the peace achieved in the state over the past three years was “non-negotiable and irreversible.”

He urged political parties to embrace issue-based campaigns, stressing that freedom of association and peaceful assembly must be exercised responsibly.

Onyia maintained that the Mbah administration had no reason to resort to desperate political measures, arguing that its record in office and delivery of campaign promises offered sufficient grounds to be re-elected in 2027.