The Imo State Chapter of Action Peoples Party, APP, has blamed the State Government for an alleged attack on supporters of Ikenga Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North and South at the National Assembly.
The party said the attack occurred during a constituency briefing and official unveiling of the Federal Constituency office at Christ Anglican Church, Itueke, Ideato South LGA.
The party, in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Steve Nnadi, alleged that the State Government deployed security personnel and masked men believed 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 disturb, harass and threaten Hon. Honourable 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.
18 “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 unchallenged, threatens to set a dangerous and draconian precedent against opposition figures in the State,” the party alleged.
The party observed 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 been unrelenting in what is perceived to be targeted attacks against Hon. Ugochinyere.
“The purported use of live ammunition and tear gas on unarmed constituents is seen as not only barbaric but completely unacceptable, and deserving of universal condemnation.
“It is 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 allegedly linked to agents of the State,” it stated.
APP strongly condemned the development and urged the citizens of the State both at home and in the diaspora, to lend their voices in condemning the act which the party stated was capable of causing perpetual social unrest.
The party also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the State Elders Council and the State House of Assembly, to call Governor Uzodinma to order.
All attempts to reach the lmo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mbadiwe Emeluba failed as he did not respond to call, text message and WhatsApp message sent to him.
