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The spate of political intolerance and violence in Ebonyi State heightened on Thursday following attack on the governorship campaign team of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Professor Benard Odoh.
The former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government and his campaign team were allegedly attacked at Iboko, headquarters of Izzi Local Government Area by suspected personnel of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit, run by the State government.
africafirstnews.com gathered from a Media aide to Professor Odoh that the campaign team were in the area to meet with Party faithful, officials, and supporters, on Thursday afternoon when came under heavy gunshots attack.
In a video that is trending on social media, our correspondent saw an image of a shattered windscreen of a Toyota SUV.
Odoh himself who narrated his ordeal to Journalists in Abakaliki, said the incident signposted ‘war’ on democracy and the people of the State, adding, “if I can’t go to Izzi, it means I’m not qualified to run for the election.”
The APGA Governorship standard bearer explained: “We were on a visit to Izzi LGA today to meet with our supporters and some of our Party officials in that Council area. This is because Izzi LGA is one of the 13 Local Government Areas of the State. We have our supporters and campaign office there".
“As early as 6am this morning, I started getting distress calls. One of our coordinators there, called and said the Chairman of that Local Government warned him and said no meeting should take place in his Local Government and that he was under pressure from the government. The DPO also called and raised similar alarm that he was under same pressure and that we should not come".
“I am the governorship candidate of APGA in Ebonyi State. I am in this race to govern everybody in the State. Therefore, if I can’t go to Izzi, it means I’m not qualified to run for the election. And that was why I went there".
“We were confronted by the Ebubeagu team (I don’t know what to call them now). I don’t know whether they are government militia or terrorists. They shot at one of our cars. You guys can see it right here shattered. And we went there with official security men- the Department of State Services and the Police, and our full campaign team".
“That’s the latest development. They have taken the war directly on us and we want to let the world know what’s happening here in Ebonyi State. This is our State, nobody is a stranger here. They have declared war on us. We are not cowards; we are not fools. This is undemocratic".
“He can’t force anyone on Ebonyi people. Ebonyi people have the right to make choice on who becomes their leader. This is not how to run democracy. We have rights to reach out to our people. I have four Local Government Areas - Ezza South, Ezza North, Ikwo and Ishielu. Will (name withheld) come there to campaign with this kind of behaviour?"
“So, we are putting this out to the public, for them to be aware that this is what has happened today. Thank God nobody was injured but we have sustained gunshots injuries on our cars. This is why we thought it wise to address the press this afternoon. From here, we are going to lodge a formal complaint at the Ebonyi State Police Command. After that, we are going to another Local Government and we hope they meet us there.”
He added, “In Ezza South, last week, they confronted us there. Two days ago, we were inaugurating our support team, they were also there. This can’t be the way to get into Government House. This is not the way to do it".
Not deterred by the attack, the APGA team reportedly went ahead with the scheduled meetings at Izzi area of the State.
Odoh confirmed: “Yes, of course, we met our supporters in Izzi. But our office was under lock and key. They had come before our arrival and chained the office. However, we met our supporters outside the office and addressed them. There are video clips of this incident today. ... Look at the shattered SUVs and these are gunshots".
The Ebonyi State Police Command has linked the development to political rivalry.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Aliyu, in a telephone interview with one Journalist in Abakaliki on Thursday is quoted as retorting: “Attacked for where? I have just spoken with the APGA governorship candidate. It could be political rivals".
“I don’t know anything about it now. Until I confirm further, I don’t know.”
The leadership of the Ebubeagu Security outfit is yet to comment on the alleged incident.
The alleged attack on the APGA Governorship candidate team is coming a few days after the same Ebubeagu, the State government run security outfit was accused of abducting the Labour Party Senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South zone, Linus Okorie, though the Police later rescued him at the old Government House, Abakaliki but claimed the incident was an "arrest not kidnap".
Okorie is currently remanded in the facility of the Nigerian Correction Services, Abakaliki after being arraigned by the Police on charges of advance fee fraud, inciting violence and murder, before a Magistrate who declined jurisdiction.
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