All Progressives Congress (APC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have continued to trade accusations over the disruption of a gathering in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday, with both parties giving conflicting accounts of what triggered the incident.

APC, yesterday in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, denied allegations linking the ruling party to the violence, insisting that the clash stemmed from an internal crisis within NDC over its Imo East Senatorial ticket.

APC said: “The violence was the result of a confrontation between rival NDC factions battling over the party’s senatorial ticket.’’

It alleged that aspirants, including Tony Okpe, Charles Onyeagbako and Uche Onyeagocha, were locked in a leadership dispute that turned violent after supporters of opposing camps disrupted a factional meeting in Owerri Municipal.

The party claimed that chairs were smashed and weapons brandished during the fracas, before government officials, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Special Adviser, Chinasa Nwaneri, and security operatives intervened to restore order.

In a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ayozie Uchechukwu Ronald, the party denied that the disrupted gathering was an official NDC meeting.

The opposition party said its Owerri Municipal Chairman, Emeka Ihueze, Owerri Zonal Chairman, Stanley Igbo, and State Chairman, Reginald Uwakwe, neither convened nor had prior knowledge of the meeting.

“Official meetings of the party are held only after the relevant security agencies have been duly notified,” the statement said.

Distancing itself from the gathering, NDC condemned the disruption, describing it as “an attack on citizens who had assembled peacefully.”

The party alleged that individuals identified as Chinasa, Tapee and members of their team carried out the attack, although it did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

Expressing sympathy over those injured, NDC called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to conduct an investigation, prosecute anyone found culpable and ensure “that the democratic space in Imo State remains safe for all political actors and residents.” (The Nation)