Amadeo Event Centre Bows To Pressure, Reverses Cancellation Of Peter Obi’s NDC Town Hall In Enugu | Sahara Reporters

The facility’s owner, Pastor Ugo Chime, allegedly told NDC officials that he was under intense pressure from the Enugu State Government not to allow the gathering to proceed.

The management of Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu State has reversed its decision to cancel a scheduled town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in support of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following public backlash and a SaharaReporters report on the controversy.

Sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on Thursday afternoon said the management contacted NDC officials shortly after the report was published, asking them to proceed with the event scheduled for 2:00 pm.

The reversal came less than 24 hours after the venue management reportedly informed the party that the meeting could no longer hold, despite the facility having been fully paid for weeks in advance.

“They even begged that we should stop circulating the report on social media platforms to prevent damaging their reputation before the eyes of Nigerians,” a source told SaharaReporters.

“As we speak, the centre is being put in order to receive Peter Obi and residents of Enugu State, who have started trooping to the venue already.”

As previously reported by SaharaReporters, the dispute began on Wednesday when NDC leaders visited the Amadeo Event Centre, located along the Ebeano Tunnel, to ensure the premises were ready for Thursday’s town hall meeting.

However, the venue’s manager reportedly informed them that the event could no longer take place.

The facility’s owner, Pastor Ugo Chime, allegedly told NDC officials that he was under intense pressure from the Enugu State Government not to allow the gathering to proceed.

When the party’s representatives reportedly pointed out that cancelling the booking at such short notice constituted a breach of contract, a manager at the facility allegedly boasted that the state government controlled the courts and judges and could frustrate any legal action arising from the dispute.

The allegations triggered a political controversy, prompting Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to issue a public denial on Wednesday.

In a statement shared on his official social media platforms, Mbah described the allegations that he ordered the cancellation as a “preposterous and utter falsehood.”

“This is shameful and reveals a desperate pattern adopted by the opposition to attract attention,” Mbah stated, while warning that there are “redlines that should never be crossed” regarding defamation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the party’s governorship candidate in Enugu State, said the party would not be intimidated into abandoning the event.

“No amount of desperation will stop the will of the people. We will hold our Town Hall Meeting. Peter Obi and Kwankwaso will speak to Ndi Enugu. The message of rescue and a new Nigeria will be delivered. Those who think they can frustrate us by withdrawing venues at the last minute only expose their fear,” Ohaa said.

The venue management’s reported reversal means the party can proceed with preparations for the gathering, which is expected to feature Obi, former Kano State Governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso and other party leaders.

The development also follows growing concerns among opposition figures over alleged political intimidation in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SaharaReporters had reported a deadly attack on NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport on October 10, 2026, in which one person was killed, as well as an alleged invasion of a party ward meeting by armed thugs in September.

The latest controversy has renewed questions about the ability of opposition parties to organise political gatherings without interference, although Governor Mbah has denied involvement in the venue’s initial decision to cancel the meeting.