OBI SUPPORT GROUP HOLDS RALLY IN ABAKALIKI DESPITE POLICE TEAR GAS

REPORTER: AMAECHI ODO

Police in Ebonyi State on Saturday fired cannisters of tear gas in an attempt to disrupt a solidarity rally organised by the supporters of Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The supporters had converged on the Pastoral Centre of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki located at Mile 50 to march round the capital city when police operatives stormed the venue and insisted that they must disperse.

When the supporters, mainly youths, resisted the order, the operatives fired teargas at the crowd forcing them to scamper for safety.

Some of them made videos of the police interference, which went viral.

In spite of the incident, the supporters regrouped at Nkwoegu Ugballa Event Centre and marched round major streets of Abakaliki with police escorts.

Though peaceful, the march caused heavy traffic on the road as the crowd was unprecedented.

In an interview, the State Coordinator of Coalition for Peter Obi, Dr. John Agha, and the Coordinator of a Support Group, Mr. Obinna Ukor, described the initial interruption as unfortunate but commended the supporters for insisting on the march.

However, some of the participants in the rally alleged that the police initial interruption was on the order of the state Governor.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Police Command in Ebonyi State over the incident failed but a statement by Special Assistant to the State Governor on Media, Mr Chooks Oko, distanced Governor David Umahi from the attempted disruption.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU