The Concerned CSOs and NGOs for Good Governance, CCNGG has asked the Imo State commissioner of police to immediately withdraw invitation letter summoning the former governor of the State, Emeka Ihedioha, CUPP spokesperson, Ugochinyere’s Ikenga and ex deputy of Imo State, Gerald Irona over alleged murder.
Briefing journalists in Owerri on Wednesday, Dr Chike Ogbonnaya said the letter has political coloration to it.
Dr Ogbonnaya stated that it was a plot to distract the duo from participating in Saturday’s elections.
Recall that a letter of invitation was addressed to the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Charles Ugwu, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of administration in the state, Ukachi Opara, asked the PDP chairman to produce the three opposition party chieftains on Thursday at the State Criminal Bureau of the police command.
The letter dated March 13, 2023, which was addressed to the PDP chairman, was sighted by our correspondent in Owerri on Wednesday was titled “Re: case of murder, kidnapping and arson.
The invitation letter read ” the office of State Intelligence Bureau, Imo state police command, state headquarters Owerri, is investigating the above underlined case involving some prominent members of Peoples Democratic Party, Imo state chapter.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo state command requests you come along with the following persons, Emeka Ihedioha, Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, Gerald Irona, to interview the commissioner of police, through the officer in charge of State Intelligence Bureau, Owerri date Thursday, 16th March , 2023, time 10:00 prompt.”
In the briefing, Dr Ogbonnaya said, “Our attention has been drawn to a letter dated 13th March 2023, by the office of the Commissioner of Police and signed by DCP Ukachi P. Opara. The said letter which was addressed to the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state asked him to honour the invitation together with His Excellency Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo state, Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, a House of Representatives member- elect and Gerald Irona a former deputy governor of the state.
Speaking further, “Without prejudice to the right of the police to do its work we wish to state as follows.
1. The invitation of the said persons to appear before the police two days before the scheduled House of Assembly elections appears to be a calculated attempt to stop them from participating actively in the preparations for saturday’s House of Assembly elections.
2. We find it curious that this said invitation was not extended to them before now.
3. We have taken notice that one of the said invitees Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo has been having running battles with the governor of Imo state Hope Uzodimma and his government agents for some time now. Ugochinyere in the past had accused the governor and his agents of being involved in what has now come to be known as ”Omuma Magic” which is a strategy designed to rig elections. But of more concern to us was the killing of the Uncle of Ugochinyere and the burning of houses and cars in his Akokwa village, Imo state residence of which he accused the state governor and his agents as being responsible a few weeks ago.
4. We are aware that in over twenty years of his career, Emeka Ihedioha and Gerald Irona have never been involved in any acts of violence. Both have been known to be peave loving and responsible citizens.
5. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, we hereby wish to state as follows:
(a) We call on the Commissioner of Police of Imo state to withdraw the letter of invitation as it apoears to have a political coloration and to avoid a break down of law and order.
(b) We call on the Inspector General of Police to call the Commissioner of Police, Imo state Command to order.
(c) We call on the National Security Adviser to intervene in the matter to provide a level playing field for all the political parties in the saturday elections and to ensure a free and fair elections.
(d) We call on peace loving people of Imo state to maintain the peace while these issues are being resolved.
