Members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have expressed concern over the destruction of their campaign canopies and posters by suspected hoodlums believed to be supporters of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
While the Orumba South Local Government Chairman, Shedrack Azubuike, denied that the incident was politically motivated, APC leaders in the area described it as a sign of desperation by the ruling party.
It was gathered that although the destruction of APC posters and banners had been ongoing for some time, the tearing down of campaign canopies occurred on Wednesday morning. Orumba North and Orumba South are known strongholds of the APC in the state.
Sources told The Nation that the action, allegedly carried out by APGA youths at Ugwuaro Primary School field, was done on the orders of the local government chairman. The APC governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, were scheduled to make a campaign stop in the area as part of their mobilisation tour for the November 8 governorship election.
In his response, however, the council chairman said the setting up of canopies and chairs at the school field contravened an earlier directive issued by the council.
According to Azubuike, the directive—issued in August 2025—prohibited political parties, religious bodies, and social organisations from holding events within public or private school premises during official school hours.
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He explained: “The noise from rallies or crusades disrupts learning activities. The APC did not obtain written clearance from my office to hold their rally there.”
Azubuike made available a circular dated August 14, referenced OSLG/ADM, and titled “Restriction on Political, Religious, and Social Gatherings in Schools During School Hours.”
The circular, signed by him and copied to all school heads in the area, stated that: “Any individual, group, or organisation wishing to hold a programme or event within school premises must obtain prior written clearance from the Office of the Mayor, Orumba South Local Government Council.”
It further directed school authorities to ensure strict compliance or face administrative and legal sanctions.
Azubuike added, “They have no clearance permit and can hold their rally anywhere else in Orumba South, but not within a school. I am not against them.”
However, the APC campaign coordinator in Orumba South, Dr Chuka Onyema, dismissed the chairman’s explanation, insisting that the action was politically motivated.
He said, “This is pure politics. What is happening here today is politically motivated because we have seen similar cases elsewhere. In my town, Isulo, the ADC held a rally on Tuesday at a school field, and nobody stopped them. It was peaceful. Why then was the APC prevented?
“We also have information that other political parties have held rallies in different parts of Orumba South without any obstruction. Why target the APC?
“Our posters and banners in Isulo, Umunze, and Ihite have been torn down and burnt. Is it the APC members who burnt their own campaign materials?”
