The Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Committee in Anambra State has again condemned the latest attacks on supporters of Atiku-Okowa and loyalists of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra by thugs allegedly working for the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
In a statement signed by Uloka Chukwubuike, Deputy Director Media and Publicity, the Atiku-Okowa Campaign said, “Members of the PDP and supporters of Atiku-Okowa in Anaocha LGA have been subjected to a litany of attacks and molestations by some suspected political thugs working for their various paymasters in the Labour Party to intimidate voters and deny them their franchise ahead of the February 25 poll”.
“The most recent attack occurred on February 12, 2023, at the Agulu Countryhome of PDP Local Government Chairman for Anaocha Chief Ambrose Afoekelu. There, a group of armed thugs believed to be former members of the deadly terror group “mpiawa azu” who controlled the state as well as devoted thugs who worked for Mr. Peter Obi while he was Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 broke into the private HOME and the location of the PDP Agulu Ward meeting at odida ama village, Agulu and immediately descended on and inflicted bodily harm on the Chairman, Chief Ambrose Afoekelu, and other party faithful present were also dispossessed of their phones and other personal effects.”
“The attacks are more of a direct affront to the PDP’s commitment to peace, as well as to all of its members and Atiku-Okowa supporters in Anambra State, and they also violate the Peace Accord that all presidential candidates signed. It’s really regrettable that the Labour Party in Anambra State and their candidates have targeted our members and supporters with a variety of politically driven attacks over the past few weeks, mainly in the Agulu and Anaocha Areas, where Peter Obi is from.”
“The mindless and ill-motivated attacks are clear indications of Mr. Peter Obi’s frustration and defeat, as is the fact that he will lose his ostensible stronghold and hometown to the PDP party in the upcoming presidential elections. As a result, he allegedly unleashed his terrors on PDP party loyalists and supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Senator Ifeanyichukwu Okowa, as led by one Onuorah Onyemaenu, (Iko), with Mr. Damian Imoka (Okwuoto Agulu), Jideofo Chiekelue (Ceaser), Mr. Tochukwu Obi, and Ogenna Ikemonu and others, who would disguise their attacks on our party supporters by blaming them on rambling unknown gunmen and IPOB irritants when they were responsible.”
“According to reliable intelligence, the Peter Obi-led Labour Party in Anambra State has recruited all former “mpiawa azu” gang members and been given the task of recruiting more vulnerably placed young people to stir up unrest and tension in the state and attack PDP party candidates anywhere in Anaocha Areas and across Anambra State so they cannot freely campaign.”
“We aim to caution against taking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate’s political maturity for granted or seeing it as a sign of weakness. In our press statement, we emphasize that this is due to adherence to the Peace Accord rather than a lack of action.”
“The Labour Party must maintain its commitment to peace and abide by the 1999 constitution and other pertinent laws of the land that prohibit electoral violence, intimidation, and denial of the right to vote. If they do not, the PDP will not fail to defend its members, in rescept to self defence as equally guaranteed in the constitutions, because violence is not the exclusive domain of any one person or political party.”
“In light of the fact that Peter Obi and his Labour Party have continued to campaign in areas and states controlled by the PDP party without facing any attacks, harassment, or intimidation, it is inappropriate if his devoted thugs and party urchins continue to harass and abuse free citizens in his Anaocha Areas and throughout Anambra State. Security agents must act appropriately and apprehend all involved and responsible to prevent a potential breakdown in law and order in the state. We place a high priority on the safety and security of our supporters and candidates, and we will not stand by and watch as they suffer at the hands of political daredevils and potential losers.”
Lq