A Group, the Ukanafun Professionals’ Association (UK-PRO), has called for a thorough investigation into the mob attack of a party leader, Ubokobong Udoworen and his whereabouts.
Udoworen, Youth Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom Northwest (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, was attacked by a group of youths on January 18 at Ati Annang Ground in Ikot Ekpene.
The group said the whereabouts and state of Udoworen have not been known for more than a week.
Udoworen, a loyalist of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was attacked following his public condemnation through social media of the alleged diversion of money and food items meant for APC youths in Ikot Ekpene district.
UK-PRO, in a statement by its General Secretary, Nsikak Ekanem, condemned what it called the inhumane behaviour of the assailants.
The statement reads: “We are calling on governmental authorities to give attention of urgent necessity in unravelling the crime and make the culprits to face the full wrath of the law.
“The state of life and whereabouts of Ubokobong Udoworen should be made known to the public.
“Given that the crime occurred in broad daylight, where many who can give eye-witnesses accounts are not far-fetched, and the video clips of the incidents abound in the public, it is believed that the process of arriving at the successful investigation of the criminal act is just a matter of willingness and sincerity to do the rightful on the part of authorities saddled with such responsibilities.
“UK-Pro calls on President Bola Tinubu to cause the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security apparatus in the country to do the needful with regards to this heart-wrenching situation.
“We also call on Governor Umo Eno, who also doubles as the chief security officer of Akwa Ibom State, where the crime took place, to synergise with President Tinubu and the security agencies in facilitating justice to have a field day on the injustice meted to Ubokobong Udoworen.
“Also, even though, no fair-minded person can accuse him of any wrong in the inglorious act, we do not think Senator Akpabio needs to be told that the action of the hoodlums and their sponsors is capable of disparaging his high reputation.
“Hence, irrespective of whatever action he might have privately taken, he has a duty to raise his senatorial voice openly on the matter.
“Given the fact that the victim is one indigene of Ukanafun local government area whose character of candour and probity the UK-Pro is so proud of, we are mounting a watch on the situation surrounding Ubokobong Udoworen.
“We urge other concerned individuals and groups of persons to join in embarking on this noble search for justice.”
Imo State has been in the news for the wrong reason again. It has, for some time now, been a killing field of sorts. Recently, some unidentified killers murdered five security personnel in the Umualumaku Community in the Ehime Mbano Council Area of the state. This horrid event made the military launch a reprisal attack that resulted in the destruction of the people’s means of livelihood. CHRIS NJOKU reports
The recent killing of five security personnel in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State has sparked a series of reprisal attacks. As a result, residents of the affected areas have had to flee their communities.
The incident, which happened on Tuesday morning, September 19, 2023, has left the Umualumaku Community in a state of uncertainty.
As the situation unfolds, various groups and individuals have condemned the violence, even as they called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) were reportedly attacked at a security post, leading to their deaths, while some people were seriously wounded. The injured are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
In response to the attacks, the military launched a reprisal attack that resulted in the destruction of the people’s means of livelihood in Ehime Mbano Local Council.
A video clip displayed the level of destruction of people’s shops and businesses by some suspected military personnel. This was in retaliation for the killing of the five security agents by gunmen. The video clip went viral immediately and generated negative reactions.
As a result of the escalating violence, residents have started fleeing the area, seeking refuge in some neighbouring communities.
The state governor, Hope Uzodimma, who visited the scene of the incident, has promised that security agencies would fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
However, the overall security situation in the state has remained volatile, despite the governor’s efforts to tackle insecurity since he assumed office.
Governor Uzodimma’s administration has, even so, claimed to have contained the onslaught of hoodlums in Imo State, as it has demonstrated a commitment to protecting lives and properties.
Since assuming office, Uzodimma has also engaged with stakeholders on several occasions, including a series of interactions in January last year that were aimed at addressing security challenges.
Despite these efforts, there have been criticisms and challenges regarding the state of insecurity in Imo State. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to report Uzodimma to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over rising insecurity, suggesting that some stakeholders are dissatisfied with the governor’s approach to the trend. The party’s fear arises from cases in some parts of the state.
For instance, the Orlu and Okigwe zones have been experiencing some challenging security situations; with various incidents of violence and insecurity reported.
The areas of Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, Okwe in Onuimo, Njaba and Orlu have been abandoned due to the devastating cost of sit-at-home orders, resulting in a growing number of casualties.
Pockets of kidnappings and killings have been reported in some parts of the state, with no community after Owerri municipality is considered safe. The Okigwe, Oguta, and Orlu axis are particularly affected. Severe insecurity in Orlu and Okigwe zones has resulted in, at least, 1,000 killings and the destruction of property.
The security situation in the region has had a negative impact on food security; with farmers being caught in the crossfire during clashes among suspected agents of the pro-Biafra group and Nigeria’s security agencies.
The latest happening in Ehime Mbano has continued to raise great concern.
Some individuals, however, believe that the security problems in Imo State, which the governor has repeatedly echoed, are politically motivated. They also believe that Uzodimma is genuinely working to address the challenges. The governor has expressed optimism that the state will overcome its current travails.
The recent attacks and killings of security personnel appear to have affected the governor’s optimism, but ensuring the security agencies are on top of the situation led to reprisal actions by the combined team of the military. This generated tension that instilled fear in the people.
As a result, residents, particularly youths, are leaving their communities in droves to escape being bundled and branded criminals by security agents who were on a mission to arrest the suspects.
The ripples of these events are affecting other neighbouring local government areas.
Investigation reveals that residents now leave their houses late and come back home early to avoid being attacked or arrested. Areas outside Owerri, the state capital, are relatively peaceful, but the same cannot be said for the outskirts such as Orlu and Okigwe where students and pupils resume schools at noon and close before 4:00 p.m. due to the state of insecurity.
According to a resident who identified himself as Matthew Obialor, the Ehime Mbano reprisal has heightened the already charged insecurity situation. He stated that few vehicles ply the roads in these areas, and schools have adjusted their schedules; resuming at noon and closing at 4:00 p.m.
He said if the security agencies continue to burn the structures of the villagers, the violence may escalate.
The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has also condemned the reprisal attack by soldiers, which destroyed the means of livelihood for many people in Ehime Mbano Local Council.
The Youth Council of the organisation has also joined in condemning the killing of five security operatives in the state by gunmen and the subsequent reprisal attack by security operatives.
The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the November 11 governorship election in the state, Athan Achonu has condemned the killing and the reprisal attack, describing the development as a sign of lawlessness in the country.
Achonu, a native of the area called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that security operatives do not engage in further reprisal attacks in the area.
He also visited the scene and urged other top security officers in the Southeast, including the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division Enugu; the Brigade Commander of 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze; and the Commissioner of Police in Imo State to restrain their officers from attacking the people.
Having pledged his support for the police, the DSS and the military over the years, he found it unbelievable that such an incident could occur.
Achonu revealed that two of the slain security officers had accompanied them to Aboh Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise and Ngor Okpala.
Calling on the GOC to call his boys to order, Achonu said the essence of governance is to protect society, even as he questioned the purpose of a government that cannot provide security.
He urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to rebuild the houses and shops that were destroyed, emphasising that the government should lead by example.
According to him, the residents are not the ones who killed the security personnel.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu popularly known as Samdaddy told The Nation that the incident was sad and unfortunate. He called on the gunmen to lay down their arms, as violence is never a solution to any problem. “I call on the aggrieved parties to embrace peace and lay down their arms, as violence is not a solution to any problem.”
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu noted that the retaliation was unacceptable, stressing that it had thrown the people into further pain and mourning.
Iwuanyanwu announced the establishment of an investigation team to be led by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state to provide a comprehensive report on the matter. He called on the Federal Government to identify and bring to justice the individuals responsible for this heinous crime.
The National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike expressed sadness over the murder of the security personnel. He stated that this act goes against the principles that the Igbo people are known for.
He emphasised that the Igbo people have a deep respect for the sanctity of life and are not accustomed to shedding blood, regardless of the circumstances.
Nnabuike described the barbaric murder of the security operatives as unjustifiable, reprehensible and against the morals and conscience of an average Igbo man. He appealed to those responsible for the violence to lay down their arms and allow dialogue to reign as a means of resolving any grievances.
The recent developments underscore my views that there is a need for a security summit in the Southeast, as well as an all-encompassing dialogue where all aggrieved interests would be allowed to lay their grouse on the table.
But, who are these aggrieved interests since no group has owned up to responsibility for the attacks?
The police have always claimed that they had arrested some suspects in the past that they identified as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB); the group has always denied involvement in any killing in the state or any part of the Southeast.
However, the pro-separatist group has condemned the killing of security operatives, stating that villagers should not be invaded as a result of the incident in the Ehime Mbano community.
Some residents have called on the government to unmask those behind the killings to restore peace not only in the area but in the entire state.
The government’s response and efforts to restore peace and security in the area will be crucial in addressing the concerns of the residents and preventing further violence.
Some security experts have also made several recommendations on how to tackle insecurity in Imo State. They suggested that the state government should consider adopting a multidimensional approach to address the security challenges.
They also highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict to prevent further loss of lives and the displacement of innocent people.
The residents called on the government, security agencies and community leaders to work together to restore calm and address the underlying issues that have led to this sad situation.
This approach may involve a combination of strategies; such as security sector reforms, national unity and data-driven decision-making.
Nigerians should prioritise the interest of the country above all other considerations. This can help to foster unity and cooperation in addressing the security challenges, he pointed out.
In the context of elections, they said security agencies should collect and use data on the most common election-related security issues. This can help in developing targeted strategies to address these challenges.
They urged Governor Uzodimma to seek the intervention of national leaders in combating insecurity. This may involve engaging with influential figures who can provide support and guidance in addressing the security challenges.
The police in Anambra State have arrested a three-man robbery gang for allegedly robbing a woman at Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government.
The suspects were said to have conspired and snatched the victim’s bag inside a commercial tricycle along Limca Road.
Confirming the arrest, police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the suspects were apprehended by the detectives attached to Isiuwulu Division.
He gave their names as Chukwuebuka Okafor, 23, of Nkpor, Friday Okpe, 24, of Ijubam in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State and Peter Ochai, 21, all of Benue State.
Mohammed said: “The suspects conspired and snatched a bag belonging to Mercy Anekwe, female, containing N15,000.
“Also in the bag are camon Xpro valued at N75,000,
TECNO 66I valued at N7,800 and power bank valued at N3,500.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include the complainant’s SIM card.”
He added that the case was being investigated after which the suspects would be arraigned.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo got a bloody nose yesterday for his blistering criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led the way with a defence of his integrity over the TraderMoni, saying Obasanjo was either ignorant of the workings of the scheme of just been mischievous.
The former president should be ignored, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said.
The scathing remarks by Obasanjo on the Buhari administration were in bad faith, Tinubu, who is co-Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, told a crowd of party faithful in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole described the Obasanjo years as an era of impunity, impeachment of governors and bickering between him (Obasanjo) and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar.
Tinubu spoke at the inauguration of the President Buhari re-election campaign in the Northeast—on a day more Nigerians knocked Obasanjo for his statement.
Many of those who reacted said the former leader lacked the moral latitude to criticise the incumbent who, according to them, has been trying to clean up the mess left behind by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 1999 and 2015.
Obasanjo, who was president on the PDP’s platform between 1999 and 2017, alleged in a 16-page statement on Sunday that President Buhari was executing a succession plan like the late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha.
Among those who commented on the Obasanjo remarks are: Former Alliance for Democracy (AD) National Chairman AbdulKarim Daiyabu; the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO); the Osun State chapter of the APC; Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum and the Katsina State Commissioner for Information, Culture & Home Affairs, Hamza Brodo.
They said the former president is not being truthful.
According to Tinubu, Obasanjo was not happy with the feat attained by the APC government in the clean-up of the 16-year mess created by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said such criticisms from Obasanjo, who he described as an “expired politician”, will not stop the electorate from renewing President Buhari’s mandate for another four years.
Tinubu said: “When we came on board in 2015, we promised Nigerians that we were going to turn the ship of this country to the right direction and we have done that.
“We are sweeping webs of collateral corruption to give Nigerians a new life, new home and a solid foundation; that is what President Buhari is doing and we are 100 per cent behind him.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has been upright, firm and has been steady, focused with great vision for the betterment and progress of this country.
”I can hear the other expired leaders like Obasanjo, ranting and lying; don’t believe him, don’t trust him; he is expired.
”We can recall the rigging in the 2003 general elections under Obasanjo. We also knew what happened in 2007 under President Obasanjo.
“Ninety-five per cent of you must come out and vote en masse for Buhari because no other President has upheld democratic principles like President Buhari.
“In 1999, we gave it to him but he could not one day recognise MKO’s mandate of June 12. Again, when he came back into power, we asked him for the recognition, he failed. Who did it? President Buhari declared June 12 as national Democracy Day to honour the late MKO Abiola.”
Tinubu added that Buhari was committed to upholding the rule of law and entrenching democratic principles. He urged the electorate to give him their mandate for the second time.
Oshiomhole scored Buhari’s administration very high in security, saying, “under the past administration, 24 local governments were under the control of Boko Haram”, noting that under Buhari, all the local governments had been liberated.
“No local government area is under the control of the insurgents. You have gain control of the 774 councils. We still have security challenegs but the arrogance, impunity that Nigeria is wallowing in had become a thing of the past.
“Everything that we are in today started in Obasanjo’s regime. Do-or-die politics was Obasanjo’s legacies. Today, the era of impeaching state governors is over. The era of quarrelling with vice president and fighting in the market place is gone.
“The era of withholding funds meant for council areas as it was done to monthly allocations of Lagos State local government areas is over. These are the legacies of the Obasanjo-led administration,” Oshiomhole said.
The APC chair accused Obasanjo of introducing corruption into the polity.
According to Oshomole, members of the National Assembly were bribed into supporting the botched third term agenda under Obasanjo.
He urged President Buhari to probe what transpired in that era when re-elected.
Residents brushed aside security challenges in Borno and Yobe states to turn out in their large numbers to join the APC presidential campaign train that stopped over in Maiduguri and Damaturu.
Hordes of APC supporters in the two states converged on the Ramat Square in Maiduguri and the August 27 Stadium in Damaturu where President Muhammadu Buhari presented his scorecard and solicited support for re-election on February 16.
President Buhari’s campaign train drove into Maiduguri some few minutes after 10am, greeted by a mammoth crowd on the major streets.
In Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, the President’s convoy was impeded by an army of supporters who took over the roads.
Supporters at the jammed August 27 stadium broke into cheers, singing as the President alighted from a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
In Maiduguri, President Buhari was received by Governor Kashim Shettima in the company of former governors and National Assembly members.
The presidential train drove to Shehu of Borno’s palace for the traditional homage before proceeding to the Ramat Square, where party leaders addressed supporters.
A welcome remark by the APC chairman in the state, Ali Bukar Dalori, opened the floodgate of goodwill messages.
Shettima noted that Borno is the President’s natural habitat, stressing that he had always gathered more votes in the state than any other presidential candidate.
He said stakeholders remained resolute to give the President the highest votes in the February 16 election.
Tinubu, Oshiomhole and the Director of the Buhari Presidential Camapaign Council, Rotimi Amaechi, all took turns to address the supporters.
They expressed confidence that the President will be returned on February 16.
Buhari promised to sustain the fight against corruption and Boko Haram.
Buhari, who spoke in Hausa, said: “In 2015, I promised you that I will fight graft, Boko Haram insurgency; and transform the economy for self-reliance, instead of massive importation of food.
”As your President, I want to assure you that our government will reciprocate all the support you have been rendering to this administration and APC.
“On the security situation, it is glaring that the government has done well; we will not relent, but strive to ensure total restoration of peace in the country.
“All of you have attested to it that this government is committed to ending Boko Haram and other criminal activities.”
In Damaturu, the President met with traditional rulers privately at the Presidential Lodge. He was asked to consider their teeming farming population for assistance.
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam promised that Yobe would give the President 100 per cent votes as it had always done.
The governor said: “In 2011, Mr. President, Ibrahim Shekarau was our presidential candidate in ANPP, but you in the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) got the highest votes in Yobe State. In 2015, you had 96 per cent votes in Yobe; this time around, we are going to close that gap by giving you 100 per cent votes in Yobe State.”
Gaidam said the PDP had no stake votes in Yobe, stressing: “The last soul of PDP in zone B, Ibrahim Talba, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, has defected to the APC with Hajiya Mairo Amshi with their supporters.”
One of the high points of the event was the symbolic presentation of APC flags to the party’s governorship candidates of Borno and Yobe, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum and Mai Mala Buni.
Some PDP chieftains, led by former Borno State Governor Mohammed Goni, were received into the APC.
A spokesman for the defectors said their exit marked the burial of PDP in Borno.
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo Central Senatorial district have condemned attack on Gov Godwin Obaseki by some youths believed to have been hired thugs.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), report quoted the leaders who spoke in separate interviews in Benin yesterday as describing the action as embarrassing and should be condemned by lovers of democracy.
The governor was attacked on August 18 by some alleged youths of the party over allegation that the governor had imposed a Senatorial candidate on the district ahead of the 2019 elections.
Edo Central Senatorial district which is home to Esan speaking people of Edo State is made up of five Local Government Areas of Igueben, Esan South East, Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central.
Obaseki was at Irrua, headquarters of Esan Central, to meet with APC leaders to discuss issues surrounding the nomination of candidates when some youths stormed the venue with placards.
The youths wore t-shirts inscribed with “the Esan Youth Movement’’ chanting invectives demanding for no imposition of candidates.
The youths, who later physically assaulted the governor, pelted him with sachet water and stones, as he (Obaseki) made to leave venue of the meeting.
However, the leaders, Mr Victor Eboigbe and Theophilus Okoh, described the attack as barbaric and uncivilised, noting that leaders of the party in the district would not support such action.
The duo said the leaders and youths would not support such action against a performing governor like Obaseki, adding that punitive actions would be taken against those behind the attack after investigation had been concluded.
He said that Esan leaders were united ahead of the 2019 general elections, and assured that no candidate would be imposed on the people.
According to him, I do not believe the people responsible for the attack are members of the APC. No APC youth will behave like that to our governor. What they did was barbaric, uncivilised and we will get to the bottom of it.
“I don’t care what they protest about. Esan leaders and youths do not support them. It is not correct that no leader tried to call the youths to order.
“I believe that the reason some of them joined in the attack was because in the past, they did it and got what they wanted.’’
On his part, Okoh, said that information available indicated that some of the youths arrested were from Delta.
“Those alleging that Esan leaders masterminded the attack are just being mischievous. I know that investigation into the matter is going on and those behind it will be exposed,’’ he stated.
The Plateau State government has condemned Saturday’s attack on Governor Simon Lalong’s convoy by hoodlums.
Lalong was attacked while leaving an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Jos, the capital. The hoodlums pelted Lalong’s convoy with stones, rods and other unidentified objects.
A statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Yakubu Dati, said the hoodlums were acting the script of their sponsors. It added that the government views the attacks as an affront on authority, and would take measures to checkmate the merchants of division and death.
The statement reads: “They damaged vehicles in the convoy, including those belonging to the press corps, security and relief agencies.
“The attack is coming on the heels of a similar invasion of the Government House about two weeks ago, where government properties, vehicles of civil servants and visitors were destroyed.
“The government finds it regrettable that while its efforts at restoring peace is yielding results, certain unpatriotic elements are bent on returning our state to the sad era of bloodletting, by instigating religious and ethnic hatred, for cheap political gains.”
“The governor thanks security agencies for professionally carrying out their duties with restrain in the face of extreme provocation.
“The IDPs must not allow those who do not wish them well to use their misfortune for ulterior motives. We call on parents, religious and community leaders to counsel their children/members not to become willing tools in the hands of conflict merchants.
“The government has set machinery in motion to arrest and prosecute those conniving to present the state as unsafe by sowing the seed of discord among the people.”
Commissioner for Science and Technology Dan Manjang also condemned his Berom kinsmen for developing so much hatred for the governor.
A statement by him said: “The attack on the governor’s convoy is wicked, sinister and callous, and an attempt to further cause division among the people.
“This attack is condemnable because it is within the rights of Governor Lalong to visit any part of the state. The perpetrators, by carrying out the attack around the vicinity of the camp, have further traumatised the displaced persons. All citizens are to submit themselves to the leadership of the state as demanded by God, irrespective of religious, political or ethnic leanings.”
Irate youths in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State yesterday protested an attack on the palace of the late village head of Ikot Ese, Chief Ukanga Udo, by suspected militants.
The attack, which occurred at the weekend, led to the death of four persons, including the son of the late village head, Ofonime Ukanga.
Six others reportedly sustained gunshot wounds.
Those injured, some villagers told The Nation, are receiving treatment in various undisclosed hospitals.
The angry youths were said to have blocked the Etim Ekpo-Iwukem Road for over four hours, forcing commuters to Aba, Port Harcourt and other adjoining states to be stranded.
One of the protesters, Comrade Michael Akpan, said the action by the youths became necessary “to draw government attention to several unprovoked attacks and killings of innocent people of Etim Ekpo by the militants”.
He added: “We have endured this untold hardship for over two years. Yet, there has been no serious intervention from the local government authorities and the state government. We have lost several able-bodied youths and professionals who would have helped in developing our society.
“Even the police are helpless in this situation because last Friday, the hoodlums killed two of them on this road. They also burnt their van at Uruk Ata II, where the militants have been terrorising the residents and burning their homes. We must not continue to keep quiet and die because what is has been happening for two years shows a complete absence of government and security in this place.
“In the latest attack, the police came and repelled them and they (militants) retreated for about two hours and thought they had escaped completely. But they later returned when the policemen left, only for the hoodlums to start shooting and burning of houses in the compound.”
Police Commissioner Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi said his men had been working to restore peace in the area.
He said: “My men were there till 8 p.m. But immediately they left, the cultists returned around 9 p.m to launch an attack.”
Ondo State government has condemned last Saturday’s attack on reporters during All Progressives Congress (APC) state congress.
It described it as ugly and capable of disrupting peace.
The government said it frowned at any attack on journalists in any part of the country.
Information and Orientation Commissioner Mr. Yemi Olowolabi said the government would not tolerate any form of violence by anyone, no matter how highly placed.
Olowolabi, who visited the home of The Nation reporter, Mr. Damisi Ojo, in company with the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr. Segun Ajiboye, said the government had directed security agents to fish out the perpetrators.
He said the Akeredolu administration placed values on journalists as strong partners in the wheel of progress and pillars of democratic processes.
Describing an attack on journalists as an attack on the society, whose interest the media represents, Olowolabi assured the people that the government would engage security agents to prevent recurrence.
He said: “We received the news with shock. It is totally unacceptable for anyone under any guise to unleash attack on journalists, who are doing their lawful duties. We are here to solidarise with you. Myself and the CPS are journalists. So, any attack on you is also an attack on us.
“We want to assure you that the government will not fold its arms and watch respected professionals like journalists being attacked. Beyond this, this government does not joke with the security of life and property.”
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of unleashing terror on its members ahead of the July 14 governorship election.
The ADP claimed that its members are being attacked by “PDP thugs” at some voters’ registration centres.
ADP’s Publicity Secretary Eniola Eponlolaye said the attacks were aimed at intimidating them ahead of the poll.
Eponlolaye, in a statement yesterday, called on security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to bring the perpetrators to book.
He said: “We call on INEC officials and the law enforcement agents to deal decisively with whoever is behind these unpatriotic activities.
“All members and supporters of ADP are implored to remain calm by not taking laws into their hands, as efforts are on to arrest the situation.”
But the PDP denied the allegation, describing its members as law-abiding citizens.
The Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, described the allegation as a “joke taken too far which should not be believed by right-thinking people”.
Adebayo said: “PDP would never harass any opposition member as our members are most peaceful and law abiding.
“Not even the main opposition party, APC, can accuse us of harassing its members, let alone an inconsequential party like ADP.”
