The Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Imo State, has raised alarm over alleged plot by some “unknown gunmen” in partnership with the government sponsored militia to abduct and put out of circulation the Special Assistant to the PDP Governorship candidate for the November, 11, election Senator Anyanwu, Ikenna Onuoha”.
It said, there are reports that the Governor has mandated his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Chinasa Nwaneri to do everything possible to ensure that Ikenna is monitored and picked up within the shortest possible time.
A source, who hinted on the alleged plot on condition of anonymity, said, the plan by Uzodinma and his cohorts to eliminate Ikenna Onuoha, is possibly linked to the stories the latter wrote about the reign of terror and organized blood bath in the state.
This was contained in a release signed by the Acting State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Imo State Chapter, Mazi Emenike Mmeregini.
The release with the caption, “IMO PDP CONDEMNS APC, UZODINMA’S PLOT TO ABDUCT SPOKESPERSON TO OUR GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, ONUOHA”, reads, “The lmo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party notes with apprehension the, alleged plot by a group of “unknown gunmen” in collaboration with Uzodinma’s private militia to abduct the SA to its Governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Mr Ikenna Onuoha for reasons yet to be ascertained.
Information has it that the Governor has detailed his Adviser on Special Duties, one Mr Chinasa Nwaneri to ensure that Ikenna Onuoha is picked up by his boys starting from today, the 12th day of July, 2023 for prosecution or possible elimination.
The information, source has it that the dastard plan by Uzodinma and his cohorts is not unconnected to Ikenna Onuoha’s stories on the recurring cases of organized mayhems and bloodbath in the state.
The party without equivocation condemns this planned act of barbarism and wishes to draw the attention of the good people of the state to the extent the so called shared prosperity administration of Hope Uzodinma is overstretching the tolerance and ductility of Imolites, just for the sake of actualizing his dead on arrival second term bid.
The party is hereby bringing to the notice of major stakeholders, the law enforcement agencies, Ohaneze Ndigbo and other relevant groups, this grand design by government to gag the press, cow the people and create unnecessary pandemonium in the state. Imo state is not a banana republic and cannot be made so by the rudderless administration in place. Our position is that Uzodinma and his gruel administration should be held responsible should anything whatsoever, happens to the spokesperson of our Governorship candidate.
It should be recalled that at the build up of the last general elections, it was this same Chinasa Nwaneri who on two occasions threatened to attack the now Honorable member representing Ideato North and South federal constituency, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikegwuonu and made good his disastrous threat with crass impunity. Again, he is being detailed to perhaps, unleash another catastrophe on a peace loving young man who is simply exercising his right of expression as a Journalist.
The law of the land spells in incontrovertible terms the process of seeking redress in an alleged breech of right or law. It does not allow these wanton and reckless abuses of power as they are often witnessed in this reign of terror in the state. If the Mr Ikenna by any way flouted the law, it is not the responsibility of Nwaneri and his personal guards to effect the arrest, it is rather the duty of the police to do so. People should not take laws into their hands, we are not in a banana republic.
In as much as lmo PDP would not wish to join issues with the APC government, it will not cross its arms, either and watch as its members are brazenly subjected to unnecessary molestations and attacks. Election is not a do or die venture and no office, whatsoever should worth not even a drop of blood of an lmolite. It is only a bad workman that quarrels with his tools.
The Uzodinma’s administration should better seek for judicious means of laundering its battered image and leave PDP alone. lmo state belongs to all, therefore no amount of intimidation and bareface threat can make PDP shirk from its avowed social contract with the people. So, rather than heating the polity, Imo APC should reach out and market itself to the electorates. It is not going to be business as usual.
We call on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Media Industry to rise up to this draconian intent to subdue the press so as to continue to traumatize the state. Remember, injustice to one is injustice to all. A stitch in time saves nine”.
