Enugu Venue Cancels Peter Obi Event Amid Political Tension

The Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu State initially withdrew from a contract to host a town hall meeting for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), less than 24 hours before the scheduled event. NDC leaders accused Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and other regional governors of orchestrating the disruption as part of a broader campaign of political intolerance, citing recent violent attacks on party supporters.

Management at the Amadeo Event Centre denied government interference, stating the venue was originally booked by the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners for a professional conference. The center claimed it rescinded the booking after discovering political decoration materials on October 28, which violated the contractual terms. To prevent a breach of peace, the facility eventually allowed the event to proceed as a youth town hall meeting.

Governor Peter Mbah dismissed the allegations that he ordered the cancellation, calling the claims a falsehood. The center further clarified that police present at the scene were escorts for political aspirants rather than security deployed by the state to block the meeting. The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law has threatened international sanctions against Governor Mbah and five other governors over the reported political intolerance in the region.