EYE WITNESS REPORTS
The Gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State, Professor Ifeanyi Bernard Odoh has reacted over attack on his campaign team by suspected men of the Ebubeagu security outfit in the State.
Odoh, who described the incident as unfortunate, said it is a strategy by the State Government to impose a particular Candidate on the people of the State, which the people would not be subjected to.
According to him, his team were attacked on thier way to Izzi local government area of the State where they intended to meet with thier supporters there and one of their vehicles was shattered by gunshots.
“We scheduled a visit to Izzi local government, because Izzi local government is part of the State, it’s one of the 13 local government Areas in the state, we have our supporters there we have our campaign office there.
“As earlier as 6 O’clock this morning, I started getting distress calls; one, our coordinator called and said the chairman of the local government called and warned him that no visit should take place in his local government, and he’s under pressure from the government.
“The DPO also called, raised similar alert, that he’s under enormous pressure, that we should not come, I am the candidate of APGA in Ebonyi, Professor Benard Odoh, is my name, I am in this race to govern the whole local governments in the State.
“Therefore, if I cannot go to Izzi, then, I am not qualified to run for the election, and that is why I had to go to Izzi, defiled all thier orders and threats, to go to the place.
“We were confronted by the Ebubeagu team, they shot at one of our cars, you can see the glass shattered. We went there with official security men, the police and DSS operatives, and our campaign team”. Odoh said.
“They have taken the war direct on us, and we want the world to know what is happening in Ebonyi”.
He maintained that his team would not be intimidated as the people of the State have the right to choose who becomes thier leader, noting the development as undemocratic and unacceptable to the masses.
“We are not cowards. We are not fools. Nobody can force anyone on anybody in Ebonyi, the people have the right to make choice of who becomes their leader.
“This is not how to run democracy, we have right to reach out to our people. I have a local government, we have Ezza north, Ezza Ezza South, Ishielu, and ikwo, will Nwifuru come there to campaign with this kind of behavior?
“We are putting this out to the public, let them be aware that this is what has happened, thank God nobody was injured, but one of our cars was shattered with bullets.
Asked whether his mission to Izzi was accomplished, he said: “We met our people , although they locked our office, but we met our supporters and addressed them outside our office”. Odoh explained.
When contacted on phone, the
Commissioner for Police in the State, CP Aliyu Garba linked the development to political rivalry.
He said, “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.” he added.