Enugu Venue Dispute: Obi, Kwankwaso Town Hall Meeting Sparks Row Over Alleged Political Interference
…Organisers Allege Last-Minute Cancellation After Paying ₦4 Million; Governor Mbah Denies Accusations.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
October 29, 2026.
ENUGU — A controversy has erupted in Enugu State following allegations that the organisers of a planned town hall meeting featuring former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were initially denied access to a venue less than 24 hours before the scheduled event.
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The dispute centres on Amadeo Event Centre, located along Ebeano Tunnel Road, Enugu, where organisers associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said they encountered difficulties accessing the facility despite having paid a total of ₦4 million to secure it for the programme.
The incident has triggered political debate over the circumstances surrounding the reported withdrawal of access, with the organisers alleging possible political interference. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has, however, rejected the accusations, describing them as an attempt to attract public attention.
According to the organisers, the initial payment of ₦3.5 million was made approximately one month before the event, followed by an additional ₦500,000 after a further demand from the venue management.
They alleged that when they arrived on Wednesday to commence preparations for Thursday’s meeting, they were informed that the facility would no longer be available to them.
The organisers further claimed that the venue manager prevented them from proceeding with preparations, reportedly citing a position attributed to Governor Mbah that the facility was intended for students rather than political gatherings.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged directive have not been independently established.
The controversy deepened when the owner of Amadeo Event Centre, Pastor Ugo Chime, was alleged to have told representatives of the NDC that he had come under pressure to cancel the arrangement.
However, the organisers have yet to publicly establish the identity of the person or persons who allegedly exerted the pressure, while the claim remains unverified.
The dispute also raised questions about the contractual obligations of event venues and the rights of clients who have paid for facilities in advance.
The organisers reportedly threatened legal action, arguing that withdrawing access after receiving payment could amount to a breach of contract, depending on the terms of their agreement.
They further alleged that the venue management made comments suggesting that the state government controlled the courts and judges, implying that any legal action would be unsuccessful.
The allegation concerning the courts has not been independently verified, and no judicial determination has been reported in connection with the dispute.
Reconciliation Efforts Fail to Resolve Dispute Immediately
The NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chinyeaka Ohaa, alongside other organisers, reportedly made efforts to persuade the management to reconsider its decision and allow the event to proceed.
Those efforts initially failed to produce an immediate resolution, leaving the organisers uncertain about their preparations for the meeting.
The dispute subsequently attracted attention on social media after the organisers publicised their predicament. Supporters of Obi, popularly known as the Obidients, also expressed concern over the development and rallied behind the planned gathering.
Following the online reaction and the arrival of supporters at the venue, the management reportedly allowed the organisers to proceed with decorations and other preparations for the programme.
The reported reversal, however, did not immediately resolve questions about why access had allegedly been withdrawn in the first place.
As of Wednesday, the organisers maintained that the town hall meeting would take place as scheduled on Thursday, October 29, at Amadeo Event Centre.
NDC Accuses Mbah, Governor Rejects Allegations
Members of the NDC have accused Governor Mbah of attempting to frustrate Obi’s political activities in Enugu State. The governor has denied the allegation, describing it as a “cheap, desperate and shameful attempt for attention.”
His aide, Dan Nwomeh, also reportedly dismissed the accusations as blackmail.
The conflicting accounts have placed the state government and the organisers at odds over the interpretation of the incident. While the NDC has raised concerns about possible political interference, the governor’s camp has rejected the claims.
No independently verified evidence has so far been presented to establish that the governor personally ordered the alleged cancellation.
The dispute therefore remains centred on competing allegations, the reported financial transactions and the circumstances under which the venue management initially denied the organisers access before subsequently allowing preparations to continue.
Obi and Kwankwaso’s Appearance Draws Attention
The planned participation of Obi and Kwankwaso has attracted political interest, given their national profiles and the continuing realignments within Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future electoral contests.
Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, while Kwankwaso contested the same election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Their proposed appearance at an NDC-associated gathering has consequently drawn attention to the party’s activities and the political significance of the meeting. The precise agenda and outcomes of the programme will, however, depend on what is presented and discussed at the event.
The controversy has also renewed discussion about the importance of transparency in venue bookings, respect for contractual agreements and the need to separate legitimate commercial decisions from allegations of political interference.
For the organisers, the immediate priority remains holding the meeting as scheduled. For the state government, the priority in addressing the controversy will be to ensure that its denial is considered alongside the available evidence.
Whether the dispute will lead to legal action or further political exchanges remains uncertain.
For now, the key questions surrounding the reported cancellation, the alleged pressure on the venue owner and the competing claims involving the state government remain unresolved.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 29th, 2026
