By Martin Nwoko
The Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikeduru local government area of Imo State, Engr. Samuel Nwokeocha has narrated how he was beaten by thugs allegedly hired by the Owerri Zonal Chairman of PDP, Barr. Uche Igbokwe.
Briefing our correspondent on what transpired recently at the residence of Chief Victor Assams, Engr. Nwokocha stated that the issue started since November 17th 2021 when the PDP Chairman for Ikeduru, Mr Geoffrey Ihentuge called for an emergency executive meeting asking him why he sent messages for a private meeting without his consent.
Engr Nwokeocha being manhandled
The Publicity Secretary of PDP in Ikeduru LGA hinted that the LGA Chairman at the said meeting purportedly suspended him from the party and that he will set up a five man panel to look into the matter without recourse to their party constitution or pleadings and interventions from other executive members of the party present at the meeting.
According to Engr. Nwokocha, ” I appeared at the panel, and the five man panel said I am not allowed to come with any witness because I came with my ward Chairman to hear what the panel would say hence my offence is not a secret trial”
“I responded to the panel in writing but they insisted I come in person and on December 15th, the panel that invited me failed to show up but later reconvened on December 21st where I submitted my document”
Speaking further, Engr. Samuel Nwokeocha stated that he took a step further by writing to the state Chairman of PDP through his lawyer citing that the purported suspension contravenes the party’s constitution and in response, the state Chairman told him not to abandon his responsibility stressing that the party is not aware of the said suspension by the Ikeduru PDP Chairman.
Following the directive of the state party chairman, Engr. Charles Ugwu, the Ikeduru Publicity Secretary asked one of his colleagues at the LGA to notify him anytime they call for meeting. He went on to accuse the LGA Chairman of depriving him of his right and benefit as an executive member of the party.
On hearing of Chief Victors Assams empowerment programme where he invited the LGA party executives, Engr. Samuel Nwokeocha attended the programme to perform his duty as the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ikeduru LGA and on siting him, Mr Geoffrey Ihentuge started saying he is not meant to be at the function and in response, Engr. Samuel Nwokeocha asked him to produce the suspension letter he used in suspending him from the party but to no avail.
He also hinted that the Ikeduru PDP Chairman directed his deputy to share transport money brought by Chief Victor Assams to all the executives excluding him and in the process of sharing the transport money he went and collected the money the deputy Chairman was holding in his hands while making jest of him to come and take his own money.
In his words, “I went to the Vice Chairman, and grabbed his own and the youth leader pounced on me and in the process, the Owerri Zonal PDP Chairman Barr. Uche Igbokwe went and called village youths, thugs and security men attached to Chief Assams ordering them to kill me while he was taking video of the assault on me but my God saved me, “he stated.
