The Imo State Chapter of Action Peoples Party, APP, has accused the State Government of being responsible for an alleged attack on supporters of Ikenga Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North and South at the National Assembly.
The attack, according to the party, took place at Christ Anglican Church, Itueke, Ideato South LGA, during a constituency briefing and official unveiling of the Federal Constituency office.
In a press statement issued through the desk of its spokesperson, Steve Nnadi, the party alleged that the State Government deployed security personnel and masked men suspected to be thugs to the venue of the event and unleashed terror on the constituents and supporters of the lawmaker.
“In what appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt, harass, and intimidate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the Honourable Member representing the good and enterprising people of Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State allegedly deployed security operatives and masked thugs to the venue of a constituency briefing attended by men, women, youths, and guests from all walks of life.
“The attendees were reportedly subjected to humiliation, molestation, brutality, and tear gas, an incident that reflects a recurring pattern by the State Government.
“This trend, if left unchecked, risks establishing a dangerous and draconian precedent against opposition figures in the State,” the party alleged.
The party recalled that the incident had become a recurring decimal since the inception of the present administration on January 15, 2020.
“It is on record that Governor Uzodinma has remained unrelenting in actions perceived as targeted attacks against Hon. Ugochinyere.
“The reported use of live ammunition and tear gas on unarmed constituents is considered not only barbaric but wholly unacceptable, and deserving of widespread condemnation.
“It could be recalled that a similar incident allegedly occurred at the country home of the lawmaker, where lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in a fire incident reportedly linked to agents of the State,” it added.
APP strongly condemned the development and called on the citizens of the State both at home and in the diaspora, to lend their voices in condemning the act which the party maintained was capable of causing perpetual social unrest.
The party also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the State Elders Council, and the State House of Assembly, to call Governor Uzodinma to order.
All efforts made to reach the lmo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mbadiwe Emeluba was unsuccessful as he did not respond to call, text message and WhatsApp message put across to him.
