..….Also Uncovers How Detained Criminals Are Being Compelled To Confess,
By Ibe Pascal
Barely three days after an Abuja High Court suspended a suit filed by an aide of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state against Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and barely 48hours after his convoy was attacked by same people, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has obtained fresh intelligence of plot to frame other candidates and leaders of the party.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by Collins Opuruozor, PDP’s Publicity Secretary in Imo State
Opuruozor said at the moment, some suspected criminals who have since been arrested and detained over armed robbery, rape, murder, kidnapping and other crimes are being tortured in various detention facilities across Imo State and compelled to make a volte face and admit that they were recruited and armed by opposition candidates and leaders to stoke the fire of insecurity in the State.
He said, “In particular, these detained suspects are being taught to act a script when being paraded before the cameras, that they are part of the so-called Unknown Gunmen wreaking havoc across the State. They are to parrot the name of Hon. Uju Kingsley Chima, who is our candidate for Oguta/ Ohaji-Egbema/ Oru West Federal Constituency, as their sponsor. Also, they are being tutored to implicate the Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, our candidate for Isu/Nkwere/Njaba/Nwangele Federal Constituency.
Speaking further, “Recall that in the recent past, similar attempts had been made by this same regime of infamy in Imo to rope former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, the Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha and other respected leaders of our Party into the festering insecurity. Audio recordings, including telephone conversations, with incendiary messages were cloned and ascribed to our leaders by agents of the immoral administration of Senator Uzodinma. Further, a handful of scallywags were hired and let loose in Owerri to protest and demand for the arrest of our leaders.
Opuruozor noted that most recently, PDP candidate for Ideato Federal Constituency, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, suffered same fate, as trumped-up charges were preferred against him by the rampaging rogue regime in the State.
“In view of the foregoing, Imo PDP deems it compelling to advise the Imo State Commissioner of Police to be wary of the antics of this failed APC administration in the State. The police in Imo must not lend itself to drowning political elements as an instrument for political witch-hunt.
“Imolites and Nigerians at large should know that the only crime these PDP candidates being persecuted might have possibly committed is that they are very popular and overwhelmingly loved by their constituents who have resolved to massively vote and elect them at the polls in February, 2023. They are the direct opposites of the lackeys that Senator Hope Uzodinma imposed on his wobbling APC as candidates in those constituencies. The only hope of rigging the elections, through INEC voter register compromise and the notorious court action to stop the use of BVAS, has now been dashed completely. This explains Gov Uzodinma’s increasing desperation, frustration and aggression.
“It is also to be noted that the fear of their looming defeat now pushes the APC government in the State into doing the unthinkable, including plotting to eliminate our popular candidates. But this will be vehemently resisted by our Party.
“What is important to establish here is that the ugly security situation in Imo has become Gov Uzodinma’s tool for political vendetta. This is the height of irresponsibility on the part of the government whose constitutional duty is to secure lives and property!
“Around this time last year, when Gov Uzodinma felt Senator Rochas Okorocha and his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu were his most dreaded enemies, he had alleged that they were the sponsors of insecurity. A church in Nkwere had been invaded and desecrated on the orders of the government and Uche Nwosu was abducted in a gestapo operation.
“Now that Senator Rochas Okorocha appears to have reconciled with Gov Uzodinma, it is absurd that Okorocha and his son-in-law have suddenly become innocent. They are no longer being accused of sponsoring insecurity. Even, Gov Uzodinma has concluded plans to attend the memorial service of the late mother of Uche Nwosu today, December 25, 2022! This is pathetic!
“Imo PDP has therefore come to the informed conclusion that the failed APC regime of Senator Uzodinma is not prepared to face the electorate at the polls next year. The desperate efforts to politicize insecurity and eliminate our candidates on the basis of such shenanigans will be met with severe repercussions that go beyond the imaginations of the APC dictatorship in Imo.
“Our Party calls on President Mohammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to immediately intervene in this matter and call Gov Uzodinma to order. The provocative actions of this unelected Governor can no longer be tolerated. The international community is hereby alerted to these tyrannical tendencies in Imo State which have the capacity of plunging the State and the Southeast region into endless strife and protracted political crisis, including a bloody war.
