The Imo State chapter of the Action Peoples Party has accused the state government of orchestrating an alleged attack on supporters of Ikenga Ugochinyere, the lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency.
The incident reportedly occurred at Christ Anglican Church, Itueke, in Ideato South Local Government Area during a constituency briefing and the unveiling of the federal constituency office.
In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Steve Nnadi, the APP alleged that security personnel and masked individuals suspected to be thugs were deployed to the venue, where they disrupted the gathering.
“In what appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt, harass, and intimidate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the Honourable Member representing the good and enterprising people of Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State allegedly deployed security operatives and masked thugs to the venue of a constituency briefing attended by men, women, youths, and guests from all walks of life.
“The attendees were reportedly subjected to humiliation, molestation, brutality, and tear gas, an incident that reflects a recurring pattern by the State Government.
“This trend, if left unchecked, risks establishing a dangerous and draconian precedent against opposition figures in the State,” the party alleged.
The party further claimed that such incidents have occurred repeatedly since the current administration assumed office in January 2020.
“It is on record that Governor Uzodinma has remained unrelenting in actions perceived as targeted attacks against Hon. Ugochinyere.
“The reported use of live ammunition and tear gas on unarmed constituents is considered not only barbaric but wholly unacceptable, and deserving of widespread condemnation.
“It could be recalled that a similar incident allegedly occurred at the country home of the lawmaker, where lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in a fire incident reportedly linked to agents of the State,” the statement added.
The APP condemned the incident and called on citizens both within and outside the state to speak out, warning that such actions could trigger prolonged unrest.
The party also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Imo State Elders Council, and the State House of Assembly to intervene and call Governor Hope Uzodinma to order.
Efforts to reach the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mbadiwe Emeluba, for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
