Ebonyi Councillor’s Murder : Stop Arresting Our “Innocent supporters” – APGA Tells APC

The All Progressives Congress Grand Alliance, APGA, has condemned the arrest of their ardent supporters, over last weekend’s gruesome murder of the Councilor representing Okposi Ward 2, Hon. Ugwu Ogbonnaya, alias SPACO by a yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

In a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday by Mr Charles Otu, Director, Media and Publicity, Odohzhia Ebonyi Campaign council
said it is distasteful and condemnable that the ruling APC in Ebonyi, particularly in Ohaozara, the home Local Government Area of the Governor has been doing everything possible to rope their peaceful and peace-loving members and supporters who have been going about their campaigns in the most peaceful ambience and even refusing to be provoked to fight back amidst multiple attacks and provocations from government sponsored militia into the said murder.

According to the statement, “It would be recalled that we had earlier in our Press statement which was virally published, condemned the callous incident and also called for a full scale investigation into the matter by security agencies to unmask and apprehend those behind the murder. We had also taken the State government to task that it’s primary duty remains the protection of lives and property of citizens.”

“It is therefore distasteful and condemnable that the ruling APC in Ebonyi, particularly in Ohaozara, the home Local Government Area of the Governor has been doing everything possible to rope our peaceful and peace-loving members and supporters who have been going about their campaigns in the most peaceful ambience and even refusing to be provoked to fight back amidst multiple attacks and provocations from government sponsored militia into the said murder.”

“First, was a protest led by the Chairman of the LGA, Chinonso Aja alias ‘Consider’ wherein they carried placards which surprisingly but directly accused APGA and another Party of being behind the killing. Next, they started head hunting and arresting our members and supporters in the area all in the ruling Party’s well calculated bid to stir tension and rift and then keep off our supporters from the last minute canvassing and even voting on election day.”

“As we write this, the said supporters, are still being detained following their arrests while carrying out their usual businesses very peacefully yesterday by a team of the police force. Their offence seems to be just identifying as APGA supporters. This Campaign council is worried that the Nigerian Police Force which failed to arrest any of those that attacked our campaign rally in Okposi Okwu on the 18th of February despite petitions acted very swiftly in arresting our innocent supporters over a murder that it is yet to fully probe just hours after the incident.”

“We therefore urge the authorities of the Nigerian Police Force, Ebonyi State Command not to allow itself to be used to destabilize our members and supporters. The Police should always show it’s sincerity and impartiality by not acting all the scripts handed to it by the fading government of Engr. David Umahi.”

“It is on this premise that we call on the Commissioner of Police to order immediate and unconditional release of our supporters and stop the hunt for our members and supporters forthwith so they can freely participate in the electioneering process and vote freely for the candidates of their choices. We however urge our supporters to remain calm and law abiding as we are certain that our Party and it’s candidates will triumph over the forces of darkness and evil that has pervaded our lands.”