By Tony Adibe
For the second time in less than one month, armed men suspected to be political thugs shot sporadically into the air and even shot somebody during the official campaign flag-off of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Sir Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa.
NewsBits learnt that Sir Ohaa, had just concluded his address when gunshots rent the air, and some party members ran helter-skelter from the GRA, Enugu campaign office of the governorship candidate.
SEPTEMBER 12TH GUNMEN ATTACK ON NDC:
NewsBits recalls that on September 12th, 2026, the NDC members were having their meeting unaware of the danger lurking around when suddenly, armed men suspected to be political thugs invaded the meeting venue and disrupted the gathering, leaving many with bullet injuries.
Worried by the sad development, and sympathizing with the victims, Ohaa said that no political ambition is worth bloodshed. Ohaa’s consolation speech that sounded more like a dirge went thus: “My dear brothers and sisters, Today, I visited our brothers and sisters receiving treatment following the violent attack on our ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw, Obuoffia, Nkanu West Local Government Area, on September 12, 2026.
I did not go to the hospital simply as the Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). I went as a brother, as a son of Nkanu, and as a fellow citizen of Enugu whose heart is deeply wounded by what happened. I looked into the eyes of people who went to a political meeting peacefully and returned with gunshot wounds.
No political disagreement should ever lead to this
No ambition is worth the blood of an Enugu citizen
“According to our party’s account, eight members sustained gunshot injuries in the attack.” Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command also confirmed that armed men disrupted the meeting and ordered an investigation into the September 12th incident.
THE SECOND GUNMEN ATTACK ON NDC: But unperturbed by what happened, some party faithful stayed put, and the activities at the venue continued.
NewsBits learnt that the gunmen who came with a motorcycle, a Highlander Jeep and a minibus started shooting sporadically to disrupt the occasion. Still, security men who came with the campaign train pursued them and recovered one of the motorcycles used by the gunmen while the rest escaped.
But the gunmen eventually shot one of the party members, who was rushed to the hospital, and inflicted another with a machete cut. It was learnt that right from the airport when Ohaa landed, security men and thugs interfered with the campaign train where windscreens of vehicles were smashed and some tyres punctured.
Disturbed by what happened, the NDC deputy governorship candidate, Okenwa Omeje said that no amount of intimidation would stop them from occupying the Government House, Lion Building, next year. “No matter what they do, we shall go to the Lion Building next year. Nothing will stop us,” he said while reacting to the needless interference to disrupt their campaign.
NO MORE OVER TAXATION:
Prior to the violent attack at the venue, the NDC standard bearer, Sir Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa, said that when elected, he would liberate Enugu people from over-taxation. Ohaa said that people will do their business anywhere in the state without molestation or intimidation.
He promised to make sure that pensioners get better pay than the paltry sum they are receiving at the moment, adding that gratuity will be paid as when due. The governorship candidate also promised to ensure adequate security in the state, not only in the urban areas but in the rural areas as well.
He further promised to provide steady electricity supply for the people for individual and commercial purposes. He insisted that as a former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Power, he will use his position to ensure that electricity is enjoyed in the state.
Ohaa declared: “When I am elected Governor next year, I’ll liberate Enugu people from over-taxation. I’ll increase the pay of the pensioners and make sure they receive their pension regularly. It is appalling that some pensioners earn as little as N400 a month.
“If we are elected next year, I’ll make sure that there is a steady power supply. I had been a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Power, and I know what I’ll do to see that there is enough power for individuals and for industrial use. Businessmen will do their business in the state without molestation.”
