The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State chapter, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to frame up its chieftains and arrest them on frivolous charges.
The party in a statement issued by its state publicity secretary, Mr. Collins Opurozor, stated that the chieftains to be allegedly roped into the frivolous charges include Hon. Kingsley Uju-Chima, a member of the House of Representatives, Ugonna Ozuruigbo, and other PDP candidates in the 2023 elections.
It stated that in the intelligence report uncovered, some ‘Detained Criminals’ were allegedly been compelled to confess, implicating the PDP candidates over insecurity in Imo State.
“The PDP in Imo State has been furnished with credible intelligence about a wicked conspiracy to frame, arrest and detain some key leaders and candidates of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections on trumped-up charges of masterminding insecurity.
“At the moment, some suspected criminals who have since been arrested and detained over armed robbery, rape, murder, kidnapping, and other crimes are being tortured in various detention facilities across Imo state and compelled to make a volte-face and admit that they were recruited and armed by opposition candidates and leaders to stoke the fire of insecurity in the state.
“In particular, these detained suspects are being taught to act a script when being paraded before the cameras, that they are part of the so-called unknown Gunmen wreaking havoc across the state.
“They are to parrot the name of Hon. Kingsley Uju-Chima, who is our candidate for Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency, is their sponsor. Also, they are being tutored to implicate the Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, our candidate for Isu/Nkwere/Njaba/Nwangele Federal Constituency,” the statement reads.
The party recalled that in the recent past, similar attempts had been made by the State government in Imo to rope former governor Emeka Ihedioha, the Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha and other respected leaders of the party into the festering insecurity in the State.
“Audio recordings, including telephone conversations, with incendiary messages were cloned and ascribed to our leaders by agents of the immoral administration. Furthermore, a handful of scallywags were hired and let loose in Owerri to protest and demand the arrest of our leaders.
“Most recently, our candidate for Ideato Federal Constituency, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, suffered the same fate, as trumped-up charges were preferred against him,” it added.
The party, therefore, urged the Imo State Commissioner of Police to be wary of the antics of those involved in the alleged conspiracy.
“The police in Imo state must not lend itself to drowning political elements as an instrument for a political witch-hunt.
“The people of Imo and Nigerians at large should know that the only crime these PDP candidates being persecuted may have possibly committed is that they are very popular and overwhelmingly loved by their constituents who have resolved to massively vote and elect them at the polls in February 2023.
“The only hope of rigging the elections, through INEC is voter register compromise and the notorious court action to stop the use of BVAS has now been dashed completely. This explains the increasing desperation, frustration, and aggression by those trying to frame out candidates,” it added.
The party noted that the fear of their looming defeat now pushed the conspirators into doing the unthinkable, including plotting to eliminate the opposition’s popular candidate, adding that it will be vehemently resisted by the PDP.
“What is important to establish here is that the ugly security situation in Imo state has become a tool for political vendetta. This is the height of irresponsibility on the part of those whose constitutional duty is to secure lives and property!
“Around this time in 2021, Sen. Rochas Okorocha and his son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu were labeled the most dreaded enemies, and sponsors of insecurity. A church in Nkwere had been invaded and desecrated and Uche Nwosu was abducted in a Gestapo operation.
“Now that Okorocha appears to have reconciled with the state, it is absurd that Okorocha and his son-in-law have suddenly become innocent. They are no longer being accused of sponsoring insecurity. This is pathetic!”
The party, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to immediately intervene in the matter and call the state government to order.
“The provocative actions of the state can no longer be tolerated. The international community is hereby alerted to these tyrannical tendencies in Imo state which have the capacity of plunging the state and the Southeast region further into endless strife and protracted political crisis, including a bloody war,” it stated.
