From Petrus Obi, Enugu

a former member of the Enugu state House of Assembly, Ethelbert Obayi escaped death during a ward meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Nkpunano ward, in Nsukka Local Government Area,  of the state.

The others were an ex-officio and ward executive of the party, Chukwudi Asadu and the Chief Security Officer of Nkpunano Neighbourhood Watch, Asogwa Moses.

Moses was invited to provide security for the meeting.

Both men were beaten up and a pump action rifle was snatched from Asogwa.

A witness said the victims would have been beaten to death “if not that people came to their rescue.”

Secretary of Nkpunano ward, Mr. Paul Eze, told Daily Sun that trouble started after minutes of the last meeting was read and adopted and a political appointee, Emeka Asogwa, rose to address the gathering.

But, rather than address issues raised in the minute, he started talking about the PDP primaries, ahead of the local government elections in the state. 

“He talked about those who stepped down and how the governor pronounced him candidate.

“Some people wanted to correct that impression because what he said was misleading, but, in the process, there was confusion and the boys he mobilised started breaking bottles and attacking people.

“I expected him to contain the situation but, he jumped into his vehicle as the trouble escalated.

“Over 40 cartons of beer were also destroyed in the crisis just as some people sustained injury. I packed my books and ran for safety.”

Asogwa, however, said he left the meeting early and was not aware of any fight at the venue.

“When I was there, it was normal political argument I witnessed, there was no fight. It was later that they called me to say that they had issues, so, I couldn’t have been involved and I did not go there with anyone as being alleged.

“It is unfair for anyone to say my boys were responsible, I am a pastor, I don’t have boys,” he insisted.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Enugu Command confirmed the incident, and added that investigation has commenced into the incident.