TRACKNEWS ONLINE | POLITICS
A political controversy has erupted in Enugu State following an alleged last-minute attempt to stop the planned town hall meeting featuring former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, after the management of Amadeo Event Centre reportedly withdrew permission to use the facility less than 24 hours before the scheduled event.
The organisers, who are members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), alleged that they were initially denied access to the venue despite having paid the required fees weeks earlier.
According to the organisers, they paid ₦3.5 million to secure the facility approximately one month ago and subsequently made an additional payment of ₦500,000 following a further demand.
However, when they arrived at the venue on Wednesday to begin preparations for Thursday’s event, the management allegedly informed them that they could no longer use the facility.
The organisers further claimed that the manager blocked their access, reportedly citing a position attributed to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah that the facility was intended for students and not political events.
VENUE OWNER ALLEGEDLY CLAIMED PRESSURE
The controversy deepened when the owner of Amadeo Event Centre, Pastor Ugo Chime, allegedly told NDC representatives that he had come under pressure to cancel the arrangement.
The allegation has not been independently verified, and it remains unclear who allegedly exerted the pressure or under what circumstances the decision was made.
The organisers reportedly threatened legal action, arguing that withdrawing access after receiving payment amounted to a breach of contract.
They further alleged that the venue’s management responded by claiming that the Enugu State Government controlled the courts and judges, suggesting that any legal challenge would either be dismissed or frustrated.
NaijaonpointOnline could not independently verify the alleged exchange or establish whether the statement was made as reported.
EFFORTS TO RESOLVE DISPUTE FAIL
The NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chinyeaka Ohaa, and other organisers reportedly made efforts to persuade the management to reverse its decision.
However, those efforts allegedly failed to produce an immediate resolution.
The situation subsequently attracted attention on social media after the organisers publicised their predicament, prompting supporters of Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidients, to rally around the event.
Following the online outcry and the arrival of supporters at the venue, the management reportedly allowed the organisers to proceed with decorations and preparations for the scheduled meeting.
The development raised fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the initial withdrawal of access and whether political considerations played any role in the dispute.
NDC ACCUSES MBAH, GOVERNOR DENIES ALLEGATIONS
Members of the NDC have accused Governor Mbah of deliberately frustrating Obi’s political campaign in Enugu State.
The governor, however, has denied the allegation, describing it as a “cheap, desperate and shameful attempt for attention.”
His aide, Dan Nwomeh, also reportedly dismissed the accusations as blackmail.
The competing claims have intensified political debate over the incident, with the NDC insisting that the event must proceed as scheduled.
As of Wednesday, the organisers maintained that the town hall meeting would hold on Thursday at Amadeo Event Centre, along Ebeano Tunnel Road, Enugu.
OBI EXPECTED IN COAL CITY
Despite the controversy, the NDC has vowed that the meeting will go ahead, signalling its determination to proceed with the programme amid the disagreement over the venue.
The planned appearance of Obi and Kwankwaso has drawn considerable political attention, with the latest development adding another layer of tension to the evolving political landscape ahead of future electoral contests.
Whether the incident will have further political consequences remains to be seen. For now, the organisers insist that their programme will proceed, while questions surrounding the alleged cancellation, payments and claims of political interference remain unresolved.
NaijaonpointOnline will continue to follow developments surrounding the controversy.
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