The management of Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu, has broken its silence over the controversy surrounding the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting involving former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, denying allegations that the Enugu State Government influenced its decision to withdraw approval for the event.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the management attributed the disagreement to an alleged breach of its booking agreement, insisting that the facility was originally reserved for a healthcare practitioners’ conference and not a political gathering.
According to the management, Dr Sabastine Chuks Ezeh, Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners, booked the centre on October 7 for a national meeting and conference scheduled for October 15.
It explained that Dr Ezeh subsequently submitted a cancellation and refund request on October 13 but later withdrew the request, indicating that the association intended to postpone the programme rather than cancel it.
The management said October 29 was eventually confirmed as the new date on October 23, while arrangements were made for decorations to commence on October 28.
How Controversy Started
Amadeo Event Centre disclosed that the disagreement began on the morning of October 28 when management allegedly discovered that decoration materials brought to the premises were intended for a political party rather than the healthcare association that booked the facility.
It described the development as a violation of the booking agreement.
Citing Clause 17 of its terms and conditions, the management maintained that it reserved the right to stop any activity, meeting or event that failed to comply with its operational rules and applicable regulatory requirements.
Consequently, it notified the client of its decision to withdraw approval for the event.
The management further claimed that NDC officials and candidates subsequently arrived at the premises accompanied by security personnel, expressing surprise at the change in both the identity of the organisers and the nature of the proposed gathering.
It, however, disclosed that the event was eventually allowed to proceed to avert a possible breakdown of law and order.
According to the statement, the organisers informed management that the programme was a youth town hall meeting featuring Mr Peter Obi.
No Political Party Booked Our Facility — Management
The centre insisted that no political party made a booking for October 29, maintaining that the only recognised reservation was that of the healthcare practitioners’ association.
It also described itself as a non-partisan facility, explaining that its longstanding policy was to decline requests for political events.
Addressing viral videos showing security personnel at the premises, the management denied inviting the police to disrupt the gathering.
It clarified that the officers seen in the footage were security escorts accompanying political aspirants who arrived after the cancellation notice had been issued.
Enugu Government Not Involved
On allegations linking the controversy to the Enugu State Government, Amadeo Event Centre categorically denied receiving instructions from Governor Peter Mbah’s administration or any government official.
The management maintained that the state government played no role in the decision, either directly or indirectly.
It attributed the controversy to partisan interpretations of what it described as a straightforward contractual disagreement, particularly amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification comes amid public debate over allegations that the Enugu State Government attempted to frustrate the opposition gathering.
Governor Mbah had earlier denied allegations that he ordered the disruption of the planned town hall meeting.
Amadeo Event Centre reaffirmed its commitment to providing facilities for peaceful and lawful gatherings, including academic, religious, social and corporate programmes.
The management maintained that its actions were guided strictly by its booking policies and not by political considerations.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Onoja Babayo Samuel over his alleged involvement in a shooting incident at Kubwa Market, Abuja, on October 25, 2026.
The Corps has also ordered an Orderly Room Trial and referred the officer to its disciplinary committee to determine his level of culpability.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC disclosed that Samuel was arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command after allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at the market.
The Corps described the alleged conduct as a gross violation of its rules of engagement and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), particularly those regulating the use of firearms.
Consequently, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed the officer’s immediate suspension pending the conclusion of investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
Following the directive, Samuel has been relieved of all official duties and stripped of his responsibilities until the disciplinary process is concluded.
According to the statement, the disciplinary committee at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident alongside the Orderly Room Trial.
The NSCDC assured the public that the outcome of the proceedings would be made known upon conclusion.
Reaffirming his administration’s zero tolerance for professional misconduct and the misuse of firearms, Audi warned that no officer found culpable of violating operational guidelines would be shielded from appropriate sanctions.
He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to protecting lives, maintaining professionalism and ensuring public safety, stressing that personnel must conduct themselves within established operational procedures at all times.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has opened the 2027 Budget Retreat in Obudu, pledging a thorough legislative review of the proposed budget to ensure prudent resource allocation and effective service delivery.

The retreat, themed “Consolidation and Renewed Hope,” is being held at Centurion Hotel, Obudu.

Ayambem said the retreat would enable lawmakers to critically examine the 2027 Appropriation Bill, assess government spending priorities and ensure that proposed expenditures reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.

He identified agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure and human capital development as key sectors requiring adequate attention in the budget.

The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to a comprehensive and timely review of the budget estimates, emphasising the need for fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

He commended Governor Bassey Otu for maintaining a constructive relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, noting that cooperation between both institutions was essential for effective governance.

Ayambem described the annual budget retreat, sustained by the 10th Assembly for four consecutive years, as evidence of the legislature’s commitment to strengthening budgetary oversight and improving its engagement with the state’s fiscal plans.

He expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce a responsive and people-centred budget that advances the gains of Governor Otu’s People First Administration, promotes sustainable development and translates government policies into tangible improvements in the lives of Cross River residents.

Matthew Okache
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
October 28, 2026

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 transport allowance for workers, demanding an immediate upward review of salaries to N300,000 for the lowest-paid federal employee.
The labour union insisted that temporary financial interventions could no longer address the worsening economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers, particularly amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of essential goods and services.
In a statement jointly signed by its President-General, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Comrade N. A. Toro, the TUC maintained that the Federal Government must prioritise a substantial salary increase rather than rely on transport allowances as a short-term relief measure.
The congress disclosed that it had formally communicated its position to the government in a letter dated October 8, 2026, following deliberations at its National Administrative Council meeting in Abuja.
It explained that subsequent discussions with government representatives, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had failed to produce a satisfactory resolution.
According to the TUC, there is no legal restriction preventing the government from increasing workers’ salaries ahead of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
It consequently proposed raising the earnings of the lowest-paid federal worker from N70,000 to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
The union cited several state governments that had already increased their minimum wages beyond N100,000, arguing that the Federal Government had no justification for delaying an upward salary review.
“Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment,” the congress declared.
The TUC also expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the government’s failure to fully implement the N40,000 wage award agreed upon with organised labour on October 2, 2023.
It alleged that while some workers had experienced payment delays of between one and two months, others had yet to receive the award.
The congress further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states, as well as the informal sector, had not implemented any form of wage award.
Beyond salary adjustments, the labour organisation urged governments at all levels to introduce sustainable measures aimed at reducing living costs, guaranteeing prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protecting jobs and eliminating exploitative labour practices.
It equally called for renewed investment in the productive sector to stimulate employment and improve the economic conditions of Nigerian workers.
TUC Demands Implementation of JOHESU Agreement
Meanwhile, the congress has accused the Federal Government of reneging on its agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), seven months after the unions suspended their industrial action.
The TUC recalled that the agreement was reached during a conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, alongside other senior government officials.
It explained that the agreement provided for the resolution of outstanding issues concerning adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
However, the congress lamented that the government had failed to implement the agreement despite JOHESU suspending its strike in good faith.
Describing the development as a breach of trust and a threat to collective bargaining, the TUC demanded immediate implementation of the agreement, adequate budgetary provisions, a definite implementation timetable and meaningful engagement with the affected unions.
“While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement,” the statement noted.
The congress warned that health workers could not be expected to continue delivering essential services indefinitely while the government failed to honour its commitments.
It pledged solidarity with JOHESU and vowed to explore all lawful and legitimate options to compel compliance.
The TUC, however, disclosed that it would await the outcome of a scheduled meeting with government representatives before deciding on further action.
It reiterated that the welfare of Nigerian workers must remain a priority, stressing that agreements freely entered into between the government and organised labour must be respected and implemented.
Clarify N70,000 allowance versus salary
Tighten the repeated TUC attribution
Strengthen the transition to JOHESU

Five persons, including four male students and a young woman, have reportedly lost their lives in a fatal road accident involving a vehicle in the convoy of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in Minna, the state capital.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday at Gidan Mangoro community along the Minna–Bida Road when a Hilux van attached to the governor’s convoy reportedly collided head-on with a private Peugeot 206 car.
The female victim, identified as Mrs Nafisa, was reportedly driving the Peugeot when the accident occurred. She was said to be a Programme Manager at Labspace, an NGO, and founder of Wosh Mart Service Ltd.
According to Vanguard, an eyewitness and resident of Gidan Mangoro, Abdullahi Musa, said the accident happened at approximately 11:35 a.m. while the governor and his entourage were returning from Bida.
Bago had reportedly visited the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, to commiserate with him over the death of Sagi Nupe, Hajia Aisha.
Musa alleged that the accident resulted from wrongful overtaking by the Hilux driver, claiming that the government vehicle veered into the lane of the oncoming Peugeot.
“The accident was caused by wrongful overtaking by the Hilux in the governor’s convoy. The other car was in its lane when the Hilux rammed into it,” he said.
The four male occupants of the Peugeot were suspected to be postgraduate students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
A staff member of Minna General Hospital, where the victims were evacuated, disclosed that three persons died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries.
Some of the injured victims were subsequently transferred to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital for further medical attention.
A former local government chairman in Niger State, who was reportedly travelling in the Hilux, also sustained fractures to his legs but was said to be alive as of the time of the report.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Aishat Sa’adu, said personnel of the agency arrived at the accident scene after the victims had already been evacuated.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the crash, stating that investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“The accident occurred this morning and we are investigating it,” Abiodun said.
The police, however, did not immediately release the identities of the deceased or officially confirm the casualty figure.
Clarify the confirmed casualty figure
Remove repeated accident attribution
Use more cautious identification language