Ahead of the 2019 election, the governorship debate held at Abia Hotels, Umuahia between four major political parties in Abia was ended by a sporadic gunshot which caused commotions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria the gunshots and teargas canisters were fired by security aides to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and Dr. Alex Otti, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to contain the situation.
In an attempt to save people’s lives, including the newsmen and supporters of each candidate, they hurried towards different directions anxiously to avoid been shoot by bullets from the shooting and teargas.
However, while many where trying to make way out of the building through the main gate which was the only exit route, many were hurt, sustaining bruises and injuries.
Reports revealed that the commotion begun shortly after the debate was done, and the governor’s convoy was leaving the venue. Students, had besieged the hotel, seeking to have audience with the governor, regarding their governorship debate in Umuahia organized on the same day and they want the governor to participate.
Desperation by the students to get the governor who was already in his car, forced the security aides in trying to make way through the main gate to leave the hotel premises fired several shots and teargas into the air.
The debate, organized by a group of online practitioners and some private radio stations in the state, had the presence of; Ikpeazu, who is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and Otti. Including the governorship candidates of the Social Democratic Party and Accord Party, Dr. Blessing Nwagba and Mr Emeka Uwakolam.
The debate covered various issues in the state including; economy, security, infrastructure development, youth employment, education and health, among others.