The All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo State, under the able leadership of Hon. McDonald Kelechi Ebere, PhD, has condemned the attack and destruction of facilities at the Imo State headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Owerri by hoodlums suspected to be agents of the enemies of the state, who have sworn to make our dear peaceful state ungovernable.
Unfortunately for them, they ran out of luck due largely to the swift response and diligent professionalism of the combined team of security agencies in the state, who engaged them in a fierce gunfight and in the process, three of the attackers were killed, while two were apprehended and others according to available reports escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
A similar incident on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Afara, in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, where a prominent leader of the APC was attacked, leading to the death of a renowned crown prince is another pointer to the mindset of the bandits and thier sponsors.
In a viral video of the incident, the assailants were seen declaring APC as their main target while setting the vehicle of the victim ablaze. No wonder therefore, no other political party in Imo but APC has lost more than 50 officers and several others injured by this sponsored political assault.
Reacting to the ugly development, Cajetan Duke, State Publicity Secretary, stated, “The All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo State chapter, condemns in its entirety the mindless, unconscionable and despicable attacks on sensitive government facilities and institutions and killing of members of the party”.
“The renewed unprovoked attacks on INEC facilities and APC members have exposed further the real intention and mission of those behind this unpardonable and atrocious adventure.”
“Come what may, Imo APC, will continue to support efforts of the state government and security agencies to flush out all criminal elements in the garb of freedom fighters in our state, particularly during this festive season and thereafter.”
“It is however, regrettable that in the face of these atrocities, the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has continued to demonstrate its sympathy and solidarity with the assailants. While patriotic imolites and Nigerians are full of commendation for the governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and the security agencies in the state, the opposition PDP went to town with a sloppy prose called press release to attack the personality of the governor.”
“We had expected Imo PDP, at least for once, to commend if not Governor Hope Uzodimma, the security agencies for their prompt and effective response to the unwarranted attack on Imo INEC headquarters.”
“Strangely, the opposition PDP, in its display of gross insensitivity and irresponsibility, is still dragging the January 15, 2020 landmark judgement of the Supreme Court that brought the Emeka Ihedioha’s illegal and fraudulent occupation of Douglas house to a deservedly end and linking it to insecurity in the state.”
“Contrary to the position of Imo PDP, every discerning Imo citizen is aware that what is happening in the State today is a direct frustration of the PDP over the January 15, 2020 Supreme court judgement. We know that and it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that some frustrated political actors in PDP, have found cover in the needless, rudderless, uncoordinated and unguided Biafra agitation to mastermind contemptible crime in the bid to undermine the credibility of the APC-led administration in the state.”
“While it is on record that Imo PDP had never condemned the activities of non-state actors in the face of these mind-boggling incidents of insecurity, they have unfortunately became advocate of the ‘Unknown gunmen,’ always ready to disparage and reprove the security agencies and state government.”
“It is laughable that the same PDP that has accused Governor Uzodimma of militarization of the state in his effort to stamp out criminal elements in Imo will turn around to indict the same man of failure to discharge his primary responsibility of securing lives and properties of citizens. What a way to be shameless!”
“It is no longer fashionable to challenge the governor to mention those behind the ongoing carnage in the state as it is now an open secret!”
“The people know their enemies! Indeed, it is not a magic or miracle that the opposition PDP has not lost a member to insecurity and banditry! They know the assailants and the assailants know them.”
“We therefore, invite all relevant security agencies in the state to make haste in exposing those behind the spate of insecurity and banditry in Imo State and serial attacks on members of our party. It cannot be mere coincidence, that only members of our party are always victims of insecurity. We refuse to accept this vicious cycle! It is unacceptable and unbearable.”
“Therefore, we use this medium to warn perpetrators of the irresponsible and ungodly acts of banditry and arson to retrace their steps, embrace peace and tolerance, as no political party and group of persons has monopoly of violence.”
“As a peaceful and law-abiding political party, we have continued to preach peace in the face of unwarranted killings of our members, not because it is a sign of weakness but a burden of leadership responsibility and sacrifices attached to it.”
“We have had enough! And enough should be enough!” the statement concluded.