(DDM) – The Abia State Government has sealed a campaign office linked to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Umuahia, the state capital.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the sealing of the facility occurred on Tuesday following a directive issued by the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development.
Officials of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) and security operatives were seen at the site enforcing the closure.
The office, located along a busy commercial axis of Umuahia, was reportedly shut over what government officials described as “non-compliance with approved land use regulations.”
The sealing immediately generated political reactions across the state, as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the Labour Party-led state government of political intimidation.
The Abia government insists that the action was purely administrative and not connected to political rivalry or party affiliations.
According to sources within the Ministry of Lands, the RHP office allegedly commenced operations without securing the necessary planning approvals required for political or organizational structures.
Officials claim that repeated notifications and compliance requests were ignored, prompting enforcement measures.
RHP coordinators in Abia, however, insist they obtained all relevant permits and accuse the state government of targeting Tinubu’s supporters ahead of expected political activities.
Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) is a nationwide support coalition established during President Tinubu’s 2023 campaign and has continued operating as a grassroots mobilization network.
Its presence in Abia, a state where the APC remains relatively weak, has recently expanded, sparking tension within local political circles.
The seal-off occurs at a time when political realignments are intensifying ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Analysts say the action may fuel further accusations of political intolerance among rival parties in the state.
Abia State Government spokespersons argue that no political office, whether belonging to the ruling party or the opposition, is exempt from complying with urban planning laws.
They also maintain that illegal conversions of residential or commercial buildings into political campaign centres violate public safety and regulatory guidelines.
Residents around the area told DDM that the office had been attracting increased political traffic in recent weeks, raising concerns over parking congestion and noise.
Some residents supported the government’s action, saying orderliness and compliance should apply to all groups regardless of political affiliation.
Others argued that the controversy could have been avoided if the government had engaged RHP leaders more openly before sealing the premises.
Opposition figures in the state are expected to issue formal statements as political tension continues to rise.
National APC officials may also respond, given that the matter involves a campaign structure associated with the party’s national leader and current president.
The government has not announced when or if the RHP office will be reopened.
Authorities say the owners must fulfill all regulatory requirements before the seal can be lifted.
The situation continues to attract wide public attention as political observers monitor how both sides manage the unfolding dispute.