Dave Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State, has debunked allegations that he ordered the disruption of the rally held for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Special Assistant to the Governor (Media & Strategy), Chooks Oko in a statement, denied the claim by the online reports that the governor gave the order.
According to Oko, the rally organisers refused to use the stadium by paying the prescribed fees; instead, they chose to empty themselves into the street, causing difficulty for citizens, hence the police had to step in to restore law and order.
It read, “The attention of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State has been drawn to some online publications and rumours making the rounds that he ordered the disruption of a gathering in support of one of the presidential candidates in the 2023 elections. This is not true.
“The Executive Governor of Ebonyi state is certainly not aware of any disruption of any gathering as he didn’t order any. He is a democrat, who believes firmly in the rule of law.
“He wishes every contending politician the very best and will insist on a level playing ground for all. If it is true that the police dispersed people, the answer will surely rest with the police.
“Rather than pay the fees, it was gathered, the organisers chose to empty into the streets, causing some untold hardships to the hapless citizens going about their daily pursuits.
“The police, we are told, had to step in to restore law and order.
“The Governor appeals to all citizens to always abide by the dictates of the law and decent living so that law and order will always reign supreme.
“He wishes all political parties and their candidates well and enjoins all to play the game by the rules,” he concluded.
