The Imo State Government has come under public scrutiny following the marking of a private event centre in Owerri with an official-looking notice demanding that its management produce property documents and evidence of ground rent payment within 48 hours.
The development has triggered widespread reactions, particularly because the action reportedly occurred days after the facility hosted a political town hall meeting involving former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The event centre, Foret Events Centre, is located along Port Harcourt Road, around Concord Junction, New Owerri.
A message written in red paint was discovered on the property on Tuesday, directing its management to present relevant documents to the Imo State Government.
The inscription reads: “Show your title document and ground rent within 48hrs, by Imo State Government.”
The marking has generated controversy, with some Nigerians questioning whether the action is connected to the political activities hosted at the facility, while others have demanded an explanation from the state authorities.
Gists9ja reports that the development came shortly after Foret Events Centre hosted a town hall meeting organised by the NDC on October 31, 2026.
The gathering attracted a large crowd of supporters, party officials and residents who turned out to listen to Obi and other political figures during the engagement.
During the meeting, the former Anambra governor criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, claiming that the Nigerian leader had not spent even one night in Imo State since assuming office.
The event subsequently attracted attention on social media, with pictures and videos showing the massive turnout of supporters circulating across different platforms.
However, the appearance of the marking on the event centre shortly after the political gathering has fuelled speculation about the possible reasons behind the government’s action.
Several NDC supporters and other Nigerians have questioned the timing, suggesting that the property owners could be facing pressure because they allowed the opposition party to use their facility.
Some supporters have described the development as a possible political witch hunt, alleging that it could be an attempt to intimidate business owners who provide venues for opposition political activities.
Others have expressed concerns that the action could discourage event centres and private establishments, particularly in the South-East, from hosting future gatherings involving Obi and the NDC.
They argue that the proximity between the political meeting and the marking of the property raises questions that deserve urgent clarification from the state government.
Nevertheless, there is currently no independently established evidence proving that the marking was carried out in retaliation for hosting Obi’s town hall meeting.
It also remains unclear whether the property owners have violated any land or regulatory requirements that would warrant the government’s intervention.
As of the time of filing this report, the Imo State Government had not issued an official explanation detailing the specific legal grounds for marking Foret Events Centre.
The authorities had also not confirmed that a final demolition order had been issued against the property.
The controversy has continued to generate public debate over the treatment of private businesses, political freedom and the right of opposition parties to organise meetings in privately owned facilities without intimidation.
