The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alerted the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba and heads of military agencies on threats and intimidation of its members in Ebonyi State by the state governor, Dave Umahi.
Specifically accusing the governor of unfounded criminal allegations against PDP members and stakeholders in the state, the part recalled that during a recent courtesy call on Engr. Dave Umahi in Abakaliki by the Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 9, Mr. Okon, the governor “openly and without any investigation, criminally accused prominent leaders of our party, including, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator Sam Egwu, Chief Ali Odefa, Hon. Linus Okorie among others as sponsors of banditry and violence in the state”.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said it was already common knowledge that “agents of the Governor Umahi-led administration had gathered known cultists and thugs and armed them with dangerous weapons including pump action riffles to be unleashed on innocent citizens, particularly members of the opposition”.
The party also alleged that agents of APC government in Ebonyi State have resorted to using the thugs to disrupt the meetings of the party as well as foist a reign of terror in the state, wherein thugs have taken over the streets and openly extort money from helpless motorists.
The party said, it is therefore imperative for the Inspector General of Police as well as the military high command to note the antics of the Umahi-led administration in the state and take urgent steps to protect the innocent citizens so as to save the state from imminent collapse
“Only recently, a member of our Party, Barr. Amos Ogbonnaya, who refused to join Governor Umahi to the APC was abducted and later released with life threatening injuries after much public outcry. He is still in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
“Though Ogbonnaya recognized his abductors as state government agents, and reported to the Police and DSS, no arrests have been made to bring the perpetrators to book.
“Also, on the 30th of November 2020 one of our members, Mr. Shedrack Nwode, a native of Umuezoka, along with his fiancée were shot dead by thugs suspected to be working for the APC, for refusing to chant ‘APC, Change’ at a traditional wedding ceremony.
“Similarly, on Friday, 4th of December 2020, three prominent supporters of PDP from Ugwulangwu in Governor Umahi’s own LGA were arrested on trump-up charges of being cultists.
“In the same vein, Chief Henry C. Udeh (Ajim Best), from Okposi in Ohaozara LGA was brutally attacked for daring to hold a PDP meeting in his own house, and many valuables, including vehicles were destroyed.
“Just now, we received a report that a member of our party, Prince Anyigor Methuselah KS, of Ezza North has been abducted and is reportedly being kept at the Cabinet Office of the old government house in Ebonyi State.
“Our party further alerts Nigerians of Governor Umahi’s resort to labeling opposition voices in the state as cultists and terrorist elements as a ploy to victimize members of our party as well as incite federal security agencies against our leaders.
“Governor Umahi’s suppressive government is now sealing off homes and businesses of PDP members, all in a bid to cow and silence them.
“A hotel belonging to former Governor Sam Egwu has been sealed up while a private school belonging to another member of the PDP, Barr. Friday Agbom, was also sealed on trumped-up charges.
“As a party, we are worried over the vexatious disposition of Governor Umahi towards the opposition, dissenting voices, and other innocent citizens in the state; a development that has heightened security concerns and capable of triggering a huge crisis that can destabilize the state.
“The action of the APC-led government has also foisted a reign of terror in the state, crippled economic activities, and brought untold hardship to the people.
“Since Governor Umahi realized that he is alone in his political voyage in the APC, he has been in distress, having been left in the cold and as such seeks to decimate the opposition and disrupt peaceful coexistence in the state”, he said.
The party counseled Governor Umahi to have only himself to blame for his self-inflicted political woes, instead of seeking to drag down and destroy the entire state because of his “botched political ambition”.
The PDP also cautioned Governor Umahi to note that the people of Ebonyi state can never be intimidated or cowed by the APC and its external backers, who are looking for every means to cause mayhem and ruin the state for their political gains.
Ologbondiyan called on party members in Ebonyi to remain calm even as it cautioned Governor Umahi to note that human history has always shown that there is a limit to which a people can bear in the face of open aggression and intimidation
