The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has declared one week of mourning and suspension of campaigns following the attack on the candidate of the Party for Ideato Federal Constituency, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.
According to Collins Opurozor, State Publicity Secretary, all Party Flags shall fly at half mast, and Party members and supporters are to wear black arm bands, within the period.
It could be recalled that on Saturday, January 14, 2023, a motorcade of three vehicles conveying gunmen, arsonists and bombers stormed the residence of our candidate, Ikenga Ugochinyere, at his hometown in Akokwa. Three persons were shot dead. Among them was an uncle to Ikenga. 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 total war!
It is pertinent to highlight that the spate of attacks on Ikenga Ugochinyere started after he exposed the widespread compromise of the INEC voter register. This is what Nigerians now know as “the Omuma Magic”. His campaign billboards in Ideato were immediately attacked and vandalized by agents of the APC regime in Imo State.
In a recorded telephone conversation, an appointee of Senator Hope Uzodinma, one Chinasa Nwaneri, was threatening fire and brimstone upon Ikenga Ugochinyere, threatening that our candidate would be dealt with whenever he 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 returned to Imo from Abuja.
Imo PDP therefore urges Party faithful to remain calm and law-abiding within this period, as the Party shall take very strategic and decisive steps towards ensuring that justice is quickly served in this matter and a repeat never occurs.