Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has denied giving the state police command the order to teargas Peter Obi's Labour Party supporters, who organised a one million-person march in support of their preferred candidate in the state capital.
Umahi was responding to the claim that he gave the state police command instructions to disperse the supporters who had gathered at the Pastoral Centre, Nkwagu Ugbala Ground Arena, People's Club, and other places around the state.
The governor said that the reported disruption of the Obidient movement in the state was untrue in a statement that was sent to journalists in Abakaliki and signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Chooks Oko.
The assertion reads: "It is untrue that he (Umahi) directed the disruption of a rally in favour of one of the presidential contenders in the 2023 elections.
"Since he didn't order any, the governor of Ebonyi State is undoubtedly unaware of any interruption of any meeting. He is a Democrat who is adamant about upholding the law. He wishes every candidate for office the best of luck and will demand that everyone play on an even playing field. If it is true that the police scattered people, then must have responsibility for the solution, he said.
According to information obtained by bendelnews, Obi's supporters in Ebonyi State allegedly created the disturbance and marched throughout the state.
However, it was reported that the march effectively halted economic activity as thousands of shops and business owners closed their doors to support the Obi-dent movement in the state.
Following the event, one of the group leaders, Obinna Uko, addressed to journalists in Abakaliki and praised the supporters of Obi.
He characterised the policemen's attempted attack and disruption of the demonstration as being poorly motivated. He asked the former Anambra governor's supporters to be steadfast in their backing.
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