Security operatives stop Pro-Buhari rally in Ebonyi

More than hundred security operatives armed to the teeth early Saturday morning barred members of
the All Progressives Congress, APC, from entering the Abakaliki Township stadium, venue of the rally scheduled in honour of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
The fierce looking security Officers made up of police and Civil Defense officer are stationed at strategic locations around the stadium whereas the entrance gate remained padlocked. A situation which even affected those who went for morning sports activities at the stadium.
Nigerian Pilot Sunday reports that the Buhari support rally was organised by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu led faction but the security men who said they were working on orders refused to allow the party’s supporters made up of men, women and youths from entering the stadium.
In a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Chris Anyanwu confirmed that the barring was to avert break down of law and order since according him, the party is factionalised and the police cannot shield few individuals or group to embark on illegality.
“Previously we got information that the President-elect was coming and we made every preparation to ensure there was adequate security but after some days, we later got information that the President-elect would not be coming again. We also learnt that the party is factionalised and we cannot shield few individuals or group to embark on illegality,” the police spokesman said.
It was gathered that Buhari cancelled his scheduled visit to Ebonyi following report that the Party is engulfed in a leadership feud.
The rally, we gathered would have been used to accept decampees from other political parties to the Party’s fold.
However, it was gathered that the venue of the rally has been shifted to unknown location.
Ebonyi state chapter of APC has been engulfed in a leadership crisis after the 2014 state congresses that produced Hon. Ben Nwaobashi led Executives leading to factionalisation of the party. One of the factions is led by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu whereas Nwaobashi’s faction which was elected during the state Congresses is controlled by the APC governorship candidate in the just concluded elections, Senator Julius.