Eniola Olayemi
Many people were injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed as suspected All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs waylaid and attacked the campaign train of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Among those injured was former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Dorothy Obasi, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor of the state, Chief David Umahi, on House of Assembly Matters.
Edda is the hometown of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji.
Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, Divine Mandate Elders Council alleged that the thugs numbering over 100 also attacked the PDP supporters at the campaign ground.
The Director General of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization Fidelis Nwankwo accused the APC of instigating violence in the state.
He also alleged the supporters of the party were behind the destruction of the campaign billboards of the PDP across the state.
Nwankwo said: “Just yesterday, Thursday the 7th of February, 2019, as a procession of the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization headed for Edda for its local government rally, a bunch of APC thugs were mobilized and violently set upon the PDP procession which was lawfully going about their business.
“Law abiding citizens were molested, beaten, and harassed by these mindless street urchins. Wanton destruction was also inflicted on vehicles and property of PDP faithful whose only crime was to express their freedom of association and political affiliation.”
Governor David Umahi ordered the Nigeria Police Command in the state and the State Security Services (SSS) to arrest some of the suspected attackers.
He also urged the public not to take laws into their hands.
The governor spoke at the PDP campaign rally at Nguzu Edda primary school, Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.
“These three persons are here by declared wanted for obstructing the existing peace in Afikpo South, blocking people with guns and threatening to shoot them.
“The Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr. Kenneth Ugbala will submit their names to the Commissioner of Police (CP) Awosola Awotunde and the SSS,” Umahi said.
The PDP Gubernatorial candidate expressed satisfaction with the more than 25 various projects executed in the area by the local government Chairman, Eniduma Chima.
He further commended other stakeholders and party supporters, for their various contributions to the development of the area.
South East Vice-chairman of the PDP, Mr. Austin Umahi, who spoke at the rally, tasked security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on credible election.
