Ikenga Ugochinyere’s latest ordeals in the hands of agents of Imo APC regime began from the moment he exposed the widespread compromise of the INEC voter register. An appointee of Senator Hope Uzodinma, one Chinasa Nwaneri, was caught on tape, threatening to attack him whenever he is sighted in Imo.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, on Sunday, strongly condemned the bloody Saturday attack on Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the party’s candidate for the Ideato Federal Constituency in the February 25 elections.
The opposition party said the attack was a bloody anniversary of the January 14, 2020 imposition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) regime on the State.
On January 14, 2020, the Supreme Court sacked the PDP government in the State headed by Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, in a judgment that left many scratching their heads in disbelief.
The apex court then handed victory to Senator Hope Uzodimma, the APC candidate who came a distant fourth in the election.
On the third anniversary of the judgment which many in the state still consider an electoral heist, gunmen launched a deadly attack on the country home of Ikenga Ugochinyere, spokesman of the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP), and a fierce critic of Hope Uzodimma, killing his uncle and at least two other people.
The hoodlums also set all the campaign vehicles in the compound blaze.
Reacting to the attack on Sunday, PDP said it was “an attempt by the usurpers of our mandate to intimidate and silence Imo PDP, which is the darling of the people.”
The statement by Collins Opurozor, Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, called on the security agencies to rise to the occasion and immediately investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.
The statement titled, “Imo PDP Condemns Killings, Bombings, Arson at the Residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere,” reads:
“The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the candidate of the Party for Ideato Federal Constituency in February 25th, 2023 elections.
“At the noon of yesterday, January 14, 2023, a heavily armed convoy of three vehicles invaded the residence of Ikenga Ugochinyere in Akokwa, and hell was let loose. Three persons were shot dead. Among them was an uncle to Ikenga Ugochinyere. Our candidate escaped death by a whisker. No fewer than thirty-two vehicles were burnt to ashes. Buildings were levelled to the ground with explosives. It was a horrible scene of a total warfare.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Gunmen burn down country home of CUPP spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, kill uncle
“Our Party notes that this very sad but deliberate, vicious and ill-intentioned attack is an attempt by the usurpers of our mandate to intimidate and silence Imo PDP, which is the darling of the people.
“Also, that Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere stands out in pro-democracy struggles in Nigeria is one thing these undemocratic elements in Imo State cannot tolerate.
.
“It is, therefore, telling that the forces of darkness in Imo chose to mark the third anniversary of their January 14th, 2020 imposition through blood and fire, and by their failed plot to eliminate Ikenga Ugochinyere, one of democracy’s strongest defenders. This is obviously not the Imo of our dreams!
“Ikenga’s latest ordeals in the hands of agents of Imo APC regime began from the moment he exposed the widespread compromise of the INEC voter register. An appointee of Senator Hope Uzodinma, one Chinasa Nwaneri, was caught on tape, threatening to attack Ikenga Ugochinyere whenever he (Ikenga) would be sighted in Imo State.
“On December 23, 2022, this threat was executed and the first onslaught was launched on Ikenga’s convoy as he arrived Imo State. What is really worrisome is that, in all of these, no arrest has been effected by the Nigeria Police and/or the Department of State Security Services. It is noteworthy that protection of lives and property is the sacred responsibility of government. The security agencies are supposed to be non-partisan and act without fear or favour. We are deeply worried.
“Consequently, as law abiding citizens, we call on the security agencies to rise to the occasion and immediately investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators of these heinous crime to book.
“Our Party urges all lovers of democracy in Imo State not to be cowed by the evil agenda of these forces of darkness, whose sole objective is to destroy our dear State.
“Imo PDP will in the coming days review the situation and take further lawful steps to guarantee the security of the lives of our Candidates, Leaders, Members and Imo citizens at large. Enough of this bloodletting and state-sanctioned terrorism!”