AWKA, ANAMBRA — Tension has escalated in Anambra State politics after an All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) House of Representatives aspirant and a local government chairman traded accusations over a violent incident that left two security aides injured by gunshots during a stakeholders’ meeting.
The incident occurred in Awka, Anambra State, at a stakeholders’ political meeting where party members, local officials, and security personnel gathered for discussions that later broke down into confrontation over political influence and internal party control.
Both sides presented conflicting accounts of what triggered the violence, with accusations centering on alleged intimidation by armed security operatives on one hand, and claims of disruptive political actors on the other.
The APGA aspirant alleged that armed security personnel linked to the local government chairman created tension at the venue, which escalated into panic and confrontation among attendees.
The local government chairman rejected the claim, insisting instead that the aspirant’s supporters introduced elements that destabilised the meeting and triggered the breakdown of order.
Gunshots were reportedly fired during the clash, leaving two security aides injured. The affected personnel were quickly evacuated for medical attention, while the full extent of their injuries remains unclear.
Security sources described the incident as a serious breach of protocol, noting that political meetings are expected to be conducted under controlled conditions without the presence or discharge of firearms.
The development has further deepened existing divisions within APGA in Anambra State, where internal rivalry and competition for political control have remained a recurring challenge ahead of future elections.
Analysts say such disputes reflect broader tensions within party structures, where leadership struggles and factional alignments often spill into public confrontations during sensitive political periods.
Law enforcement authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the gunfire, including how weapons were introduced into the meeting and who authorised armed security deployment at the venue.
Stakeholders have called for calm and urged party leaders to resolve internal disagreements through dialogue to prevent further escalation of violence within the state’s political environment.
As investigations continue, attention is focused on how APGA leadership will respond to the incident and whether disciplinary or reconciliation measures will be taken to stabilise the affected structures.
