Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has condemned in the strongest term, the rumours making rounds that he was the architect of the attempted disruption of a one million man march for Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the state.
Umahi made the condemnation in a press release by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Chooks Oko on Saturday.
The release read in parts: "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.
"For record purposes, the relevant government agencies had approved the use of Abakaliki township stadium for a rally by the Labour party subject to the payment of some specified fees.
"Rather than pay the fees, it was gathered, that the organizers chose to empty the streets causing some untold hardships for 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."
Recall that the Ebonyi supporting groups for the 2023 Obi-Datti Revolutionary Movement have shunned their attackers, saying nothing would stop them from embarking on their peaceful solidarity walk for their principals in the state.
Supporters of the massive march for the 2023 Obi-Datti revolutionary movement in supporting the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti have raised alarm against their attackers this morning while embarking on a peaceful walk in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Different supporters of the Obi-Datti, numbering millions had early hours Saturday gathered at Nkwegu Ugbala Grand Arena, Abkakaliki, the campaign office of the State Labour Party's governorship candidate, Dr Edward Nkwegu to show a solidarity movement for their principals ahead of the 2023 polls.
They were dispersed by a spree of teargas spread on them by the policemen who blocked the old Abakaliki-Enugu express road with their Hilux to disrupt their movement.
Many of the Obi-Datti supporters including some journalists, covering the event were affected by the spread of the teargas.
Speaking on their behalf, an activist, Barrister Luke Chibueze Adonwe described the attack against the Obi-Datti supporters as another form of police brutality and a rough deal to murder human rights in Nigeria, particularly in Ebonyi State.
Adonwe insisted that despite the attack, no Jupiter would stop the Obi-Datti movement in the state, as the supporters had continued with their peaceful walk in Abakaliki, the state capital.
