Mbah reacts to allegation of blocking NDC’s planned event, Peter Obi’s visit

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has refuted allegations that he was responsible for the reported withdrawal of approval initially granted to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to use Amadeo Event Centre for the party’s planned town hall meeting on Thursday (today).

The NDC’s allegation

Sampson Ukwu, the media aide to the NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Christian Chinyeaka, had suggested in a statement on Wednesday that Mr Mbah was behind the event centre’s sudden change of mind after approval of the venue for Thursday’s event.

“We had already locked down the venue for Thursday, 29th October 2026 at 2:00 pm.

“The last-minute withdrawal, coming after public allegations of interference, is yet another attempt to disrupt the peaceful political activities of the opposition in Enugu State,” Mr Ukwu said.

The media aide said the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, were billed to speak at the event.

He vowed the event must go ahead despite intimidation against the NDC.

“Mr Peter Obi, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, and the entire NDC family in Enugu cannot be intimidated.

“We have faced worse. We will not be stopped by venue withdrawals, administrative pressure, or any form of political obstruction,” he said.

A video clip accompanying the statement showed NDC supporters suggesting the state government must have ordered the event centre to withdraw its approval to stop the planned NDC event.

In the statement, Mr Ukwu said the NDC has urged Governor Mbah to ensure Thursday’s event goes on smoothly, in the spirit of fairness and maturity.

“A government that truly believes in democracy should not be seen to be working against peaceful gatherings of the opposition.

“Any further disruption will only confirm what Ndi Enugu already know,” he said.

‘It’s shameful’

Reacting in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, Mr Mbah described the allegations of blocking the NDC’s event as false.

“This is preposterous and utter falsehood, because I did not,” he said.

The governor stressed that Amadeo Event Centre is a private facility and suggested it was unlikely he would order a private business to block the opposition party from holding its event.

“This is shameful and reveals a desperate pattern adopted by the opposition to attract attention,” he said.

‘Free speech, not freedom to defame’

Mr Mbah stressed that although democracy guarantees freedom of speech, it is not a license to defame others.

“Democracy also offers avenues to seek redress. So, let it be known that there are red lines that should never be crossed,” he warned.