Barrister Ifeanyi Nworie, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, has formally requested that the state police force ensure the safety of opposition party members and media personnel. This appeal follows a violent incident in Ikwuator village, Idemba community, located in the Ezza South Local Government Area, where PDP attendees and journalists were reportedly targeted.
Nworie, who previously served as the state PDP chairman and recently returned to the party after a brief stint with the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated that over 50 unidentified individuals disrupted a rally at his residence. He claimed these aggressors damaged equipment, including chairs and canopies, and physically assaulted participants. The Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ebonyi has similarly expressed alarm regarding the targeting of reporters during the event.
According to Nworie, he had submitted a formal request for security to the police on July 31, 2026, citing specific threats against himself and his supporters. He accused law enforcement officers present at the venue of remaining passive while the violence unfolded. However, Ebonyi Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu rejected these claims, asserting that the command received no prior notification or petition regarding the rally or the subsequent violence.
Meanwhile, the APC leadership in Ebonyi has distanced itself from the altercation. Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the state APC chairman, denied his party’s involvement, suggesting that any opposition to Nworie likely stemmed from personal or internal political disagreements. He emphasized that the APC remains committed to the peaceful approach promoted by Governor Francis Nwifuru.
