By Nkechinyere Ewa
A 40-year-old woman, Mrs Blessing Ngwuta, has alleged that she lost her four-month pregnancy after suspected political thugs invaded her husband’s residence in Amaezekwe, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, during a political gathering.
Ngwuta, who was discharged from hospital on Sunday, said she was preparing food for visitors when the attackers, armed with guns, machetes, swords, stones, sticks and other dangerous weapons, allegedly forced their way into the compound of her husband, Chief Christopher Ngwuta, a 73-year-old Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.
According to her, the attackers assaulted people in the compound, dispossessed some of them of their belongings and destroyed vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles and other valuables.
She said the attackers subsequently located her in the kitchen after one of them reportedly disclosed her whereabouts.
“One of them hit me from behind and I fell down and hit my stomach on the ground. When I tried to wake up, another one pointed a gun at my head and said that they would use me and set an example for others to learn,” she recounted.
Ngwuta said the attackers continued beating her until she became weak and left the compound.
“I was immediately rushed to the hospital by my husband because I was bleeding. Because of the attack, I lost my four months pregnancy and I was just discharged from the hospital this Sunday,” she said.
The woman, who said she was not involved in politics, appealed to security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible.
“I am not a politician, I don’t know anything about politics and I don’t belong to any political party. I don’t know my offence,” she said.
Her husband, Chief Christopher Ngwuta, condemned the attack, saying his political affiliation should not expose his family or property to violence.
The PDP chieftain said he was particularly disturbed that his wife, whom he described as apolitical, became a victim of the attack.
“It is surprising to me that my children will invade my home, attack my wife and destroy property belonging to me and my visitor,” he said.
Ngwuta said he knew some of the people allegedly involved in the attack, describing them as members of his community whom he had known for many years.
“I am an elder statesman. I am an old man and a peaceful person and I have the right to belong to a political party of my choice. Nobody can stop me from being a member of a party that I have chosen to belong to,” he said.
He questioned why politicians belonging to different political parties in other parts of Ebonyi State could conduct their political activities without similar attacks.
Ngwuta cited politicians from Izzi and Ikwo communities who, according to him, are contesting elections under different political platforms, arguing that political differences should not translate into violence.
“Why Ezza clan, why Ezza South?” he queried.
The PDP chieftain vowed that the incident would not force him to abandon his party or his support for the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Odii.
He said his support for the PDP was based on what he described as concerns over the political future and representation of the Ezza people.
“I am ready for the PDP candidate, Anyichuks, because the distance for my Ezza nation to get a ticket in 2031 under APC is like the distance from Spera-in-Deo junction to Iran. But the distance for my Ezza nation under PDP is like Spera-in-Deo junction to Chiboy junction,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PDP in Ebonyi State has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using intimidation to weaken opposition activities in the state.
The state PDP chairman, Chukwuma Igwe, said the party would not be deterred by what he described as attacks aimed at restricting political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We state unequivocally that the PDP in Ebonyi State will not be intimidated by undemocratic forces, irrespective of who may be behind them,” Igwe said.
He called on security agencies to protect citizens and guarantee the constitutional rights of residents to freedom of association and political participation.
However, the APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, denied any involvement of the ruling party in the attack.
Emegha said the APC had no reason to resort to violence, insisting that Governor Francis Nwifuru had consistently opposed political violence.
“So far as it has to do with APC in Ebonyi State, we watch the body language of our dear Governor; he doesn’t want to offend anyone. As such, we must toe his path,” he said.
“There is no time APC will have a hand in violence because you know very well that if you get yourself into such an act, the governor will abandon you.”
Emegha urged APC members to remain peaceful, saying political opponents could become allies in the future.
“The governor doesn’t want violence. If you can’t trade with somebody today politically, you can trade with the person tomorrow politically,” he said.
The allegations and counter-allegations come amid heightened political activities in Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the time of filing this report, there was no public statement from the police on arrests or the identity of those responsible for the alleged attack.