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Party alleges systematic exclusion of opposition from public venues, ₦150 million billboard charges and attacks on its members; demands answers from Enugu Government
ENUGU, NIGERIA — The political controversy surrounding the attempted cancellation of an event involving the Amadeo Event Centre has escalated, with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its supporters accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Enugu State Government of creating an increasingly hostile political environment for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded response to an article by Dan Nwomeh, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Peter Mbah, titled "The Hypocrisy of a Political Movement That Preaches Morality but Practices Deception and Bullying," the Odalije Media Team described the governor's aide's defence of the government's position as an attempt to divert public attention from what it characterised as a disturbing pattern of political exclusion and intimidation in the state.
The media team argued that the Amadeo controversy should not be viewed in isolation but examined against the broader political atmosphere in Enugu, where opposition groups have repeatedly raised concerns about access to public facilities, campaign infrastructure and the freedom to organise political activities.
At the centre of the controversy is the cancellation attempt of a political engagement involving the NDC and presidential candidate Peter Obi.
While Nwomeh's position reportedly places responsibility on the private event centre, the Odalije Media Team questioned whether the incident reflects a wider problem of political interference and restrictions on opposition activities.
According to the team, the circumstances surrounding the cancellation raise legitimate questions about the freedom of political organisations to conduct lawful activities without fear of external pressure.
One of the major issues raised by the media team is the alleged denial of public facilities to opposition political organisations.
It specifically questioned the continued inability of opposition groups to secure Michael Okpara Square for political engagements, arguing that publicly funded infrastructure should be accessible to all lawfully registered political organisations, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The team maintained that public facilities belong to the people of Enugu State and should not become exclusive political assets of the party controlling government.
It called on the Mbah administration to clarify its policy on the allocation of public venues and demonstrate that opposition parties enjoy equal access under the law.
The media team also raised concerns over ₦150 million charge for political campaign billboards, describing the reported figure as excessive and potentially capable of creating an unequal political environment.
It questioned the justification for such a financial requirement and demanded transparency regarding the applicable advertising regulations, charges and exemptions.
The team argued that campaign advertising should operate under a transparent and uniform regulatory framework rather than conditions that could disproportionately disadvantage opposition candidates.
It further called for equal treatment of political parties in accessing outdoor advertising platforms, insisting that democratic competition should be determined by the strength of ideas, public confidence and electoral support rather than financial barriers.
Perhaps the most serious allegations raised by the media team concern reported attacks, harassment and intimidation involving opposition political supporters.
The team said that NDC members and supporters of other opposition groups have experienced disruptions during political gatherings, threats and other forms of intimidation.
It also referenced concerns surrounding the disarming of opposition security personnel at Umurombe and reported threats against political candidates.
These allegations, if established, raise important questions about the protection of political rights, public safety and the responsibility of security institutions to remain impartial.
The media team challenged the APC leadership in Enugu to address the allegations and explain why opposition political activities should reportedly encounter such difficulties.
It also called on relevant security authorities to investigate complaints of political violence and ensure that every political organisation can operate within the law without intimidation.
Addressing Nwomeh's argument that the Amadeo Event Centre acted independently as a private business, the media team questioned the circumstances that reportedly led to the attempted cancellation.
It argued that the increasing concerns surrounding political venue bookings have created an atmosphere in which organisers may become reluctant to openly identify the political nature of their events.
According to the team, the suggestion that an opposition organisation deliberately misrepresented its identity to secure a venue cannot be properly examined without considering the wider concerns about access to event centres and political gatherings.
It maintained that private businesses should be free to conduct legitimate commercial activities without political pressure and that political organisations should equally be free to patronise those businesses.
The team further argued that printers, advertising companies, event organisers and other small businesses should not be made to suffer because of political disagreements or competition.
The Odalije Media Team maintained that Enugu State's democratic credentials should be measured not only by the government's development claims but also by its willingness to tolerate criticism, accommodate dissenting voices and protect the rights of political opponents.
It argued that an administration confident in its achievements should welcome open political competition rather than create circumstances that could make opposition activities difficult.
The team also dismissed the attempt to frame the controversy as a disagreement between a political movement and a private business, insisting that the larger issue is whether Enugu's political environment guarantees equal opportunities for all parties.
It called on Governor Peter Mbah to publicly address the concerns and demonstrate his administration's commitment to democratic principles.
With political activities gradually intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, the controversy has added another dimension to the emerging political contest in Enugu State.
The NDC and its supporters have positioned themselves as advocates of political change, greater accountability and a more competitive democratic environment.
The media team insisted that no amount of official explanations or political messaging would erase public concerns about alleged restrictions on opposition activities.
It maintained that the people of Enugu, rather than political officeholders, must ultimately determine the state's political future through the ballot.
"The right to organise, campaign, criticise government and support a political candidate is not a privilege granted by those in power. It is a fundamental part of democracy," the team stated.
The group urged the APC-led administration to allow political competition to thrive, insisting that Enugu must remain a state where political differences are settled through persuasion and elections rather than intimidation or exclusion.
As the controversy surrounding Amadeo continues, one central question remains: Can Enugu State guarantee a genuinely level playing field for all political parties ahead of 2027?
For the NDC and its supporters, the demand is clear: Enugu belongs to all its people, and democracy must have room for everyone
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