By IJENDU IHEAKA

Competing political groups displaying loyalty to their various sponsors on Sunday caused chaos that disrupted the inauguration of Gov. Alex Otti of Abia re-election campaign at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the avoidable chaos, an evidence of poor crowd control, seem to have become a trademark of Abia political meetings.

NAN also reports that the chaos almost disrupted the Church service which was part of the programme.

NAN equally reports that the disturbance was caused by suspected different Labour party groups which may be acting to be noticed more than the other groups.

Speaking, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Raphael Opoko who was in attendance at the inauguration condemned the situation describing it as distracting.

Opoko urged the party stalwarts and their loyalist to exercise restraint so the church service which was part of the inauguration could be conducted.

“Help us to get the church service to go on. We cannot be worshiping God in a chaotic situation.

“If you don’t make this place quite for God, we will pause this church service.

“See masquerades coming in while the church service is going on.

“The state governor is God-fearing and this cannot continue, when you are ready, we are ready,” he said.

NAN reports that the chaos continued even when the governor called for a minute silence for some of the late party supporters during his speech. (NAN, excluding headline)