At least 10 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Ebonyi state after suspected political thugs allegedly attacked a defection rally in Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South local government area of the state.
The rally was organised to receive a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ifeanyi Nworie, who defected to the PDP, weekend.
Eyewitnesses said the event was initially scheduled to hold at a village square but was disrupted by suspected thugs wearing T-shirts bearing the photograph of a federal lawmaker.
Nworie subsequently relocated the programme to his private residence and the thugs allegedly stormed the area, assaulted participants and destroyed property.
The opposition party alleged that plastic chairs, canopies, public address systems, vehicles and other valuables were vandalised while several supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Addressing journalists after the incident in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state PDP chairman, Mr. Chukwuma Igwe, described the attack as a direct assault on democracy and called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
He alleged that PDP members had faced threats in recent weeks and insisted the party would not be intimidated by what he described as undemocratic forces.
“We have called this press conference to draw the attention of Nigerians to actions deliberately orchestrated to undermine the conduct of the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi state. We urge all security agencies to protect citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation,” Igwe said.
Reacting, the Ebonyi state chairman of the APC, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, denied allegations that members of his party were responsible for the violence, describing the APC as a peaceful political party.