– Accuses Imo Govt of human rights violations, impunity
A frontline Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Imo State, Major General Linclon Ogunewe, (retired) has called for the immediate release of the Labour Party candidate for Owerri Municipal Council State constituency at the March, 18 house of assembly election, Hon Clinton Amadi who was allegedly abducted on Tuesday, April 8, 2023 by a detachment of policemen from the Imo State Police Command and operatives of the State owned Ebebeagu Security outfit that has been outlawed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Information available to our news desk, indicate that Hon Amadi went to the INEC office in Owerri, last week to collect the Certified True Copy (CTC) of his results to enable him file his election petition. On getting there, he was reportedly harassed by staff of INEC who called the attention of the Government House Police, led by one Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on a Special Dudies and operatives of the dreaded Ebebeagu Security outfit. However, Amadi was lucky to escape before their belated arrival’’.
‘’Clinton Amadi was told to come the next day to collect the CTC. He did not know that they had set a trap for him. Hence, immediately he was given the CTC, a detachment of Government House Police led by one Chinasa Nwaneri came and abducted him to an unknown destination’’.
Ogunewe, in a statement he issued on Tuesday, April 5 and made available to the press, condemned Hon Clinton Amadi’s abduction in unequivocal terms, stressing that it is a calculated attempt to ensure that he does not exercise his constitutionally guaranteed rights’’.
He warned the Imo State government, its agents and officials to desist from taking the laws into their hands, adding that if such scenario continues, it will further aggravate the already alarming insecurity in the state.
The Ezinihitte Mbaise born gubernatorial hopeful urged the Imo State Governor to provide a level playing ground for all political parties rather than witch hunting political opponents for no just cause.
‘’Ogunewe called on local and international Civil Society Organisations (CSOS) and the Nigerian Media to beam their searchlight on the violation of human rights by the Hope Uzodimma administration in Imo state.
Ogunewe called on the Inspector General of Police to take special interest in what is happening in Imo state and on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the governor to order.
He however called on LP members to remain calm while the issue is being taken up with relevant authorities’’.
It would be recalled that, Hon Clinton Amadi, a former member of the Imo State House of assembly filed his election petition on Tuesday, April, 4 it was also gathered that from reports sent by his agents, there are indications that Amadi polled 5600 votes, followed by the APC candidate with 3088 votes, while candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressive Grand Alliance trailed behind with 3044 votes and 1500 votes respectively.
