No fewer than four persons have been injured with property worth thousands of naira destroyed at the Famous Abia Hotel, Finbarrs road,Umuahia,venue for the Abia Governorship debate,organised by the 2019 Abia state Election Debate Team.
Some of the students who were in attendance took to violence, destroying chairs, doors and windows at the conference Hall where the debate was held, alleged the governor of the state,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for neglecting and refusing to address them (the Abia students)
One of the students who would not want his name mentioned, said the students under the aegis of National Association of Abia state Students (NAAS), came to witness the debate,after which expected the governor to address and give them money for transportation but the reverse was the case. He added that in their bid to get the Governor’s attention,his security men pounced on the Abia State president of NAAS, Nwazuo Remijius and others, leaving them injured.
According to an eye witness, the aides of the governor opened fire and threw teargas to despair the students who have already barricaded the road,closed the hotel gates,stopping the governor from moving out.
A Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Grassroot Mobilization and Political Matters, Hon Ugwumba Adiele said the students acted very fast,stating that the governor had already mapped out money for them while he was rushing to Owerri for the South East PDP Presidential debate.
He condemned the attack on the governor, maintaining that giving of money should not be under compulsion but freewill.
National Ambassador reporter further gathered that the students who had initially planned for a similar governorship debate today at the Damgrete Hotels,got angry and stormed the Abia hotels,accusing the Abia debate team of hijacking the governorship candidates that would have honoured their own debate.
When it appeared they have lost out completely, with the governor rushing to Owerri, and the tendency of the other candidates not attending the debate organised by the students, having been drilled from the Abia Hotels debate that lasted for over five hours,the students tried to seek audience from the governor after which they would ask for financial support.When their plot was not forth coming,they resorted to violence, destroying chairs,alumaco doors and windows at the conference hall where the debate was held,holding everyone including the governor hostage.
