By SEGUN OGIDAN,, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over harassment, intimidation and unfounded criminal allegations against its members and stakeholders in the Ebonyi State Chapter of the party.

The party said that during a recent courtesy call on the Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi in Abakaliki, the state capital, by the Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 9, Mr Okon, the governor openly and without any investigation, criminally accused prominent leaders of PDP, including, Senators Anyim Pius Anyim, Sam Egwu; Chief Ali Odefa, Honourable Linus Okorie among others as sponsors of banditry and violence in the State.

The party also said that it is already common knowledge that agents of the Governor Umahi-led administration had gathered known cultists and thugs and armed them with dangerous weapons including pump action riffles to be unleashed on innocent citizens, particularly members of the opposition.

Addressing newsmen at a press conference in Abuja, the spokesman of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “these agents of APC government in Ebonyi State have also resorted to using the thugs to disrupt the meetings of our party as well as foist a reign of terror in the state, wherein thugs have taken over the streets and openly extort money from helpless motorists.

“Only recently, a member of our Party, Barr. Amos Ogbonnaya, who refused to join Governor Umahi to the APC was abducted and later released with life threatening injuries after much public outcry. He is still in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

“Though Ogbonnaya recognized his abductors as state government agents, and reported to the Police and DSS, no arrests have been made to bring the perpetrators to book.

“Also, on the 30th of November 2020 one of our members, Mr. Shedrack Nwode, a native of Umuezoka, along with his fiancée were shot dead by thugs suspected to be working for the APC, for refusing to chant ‘APC, Change’ at a traditional wedding ceremony.”

The party further disclosed on Friday, 4th of December 2020, that three prominent supporters of PDP from Ugwulangwu in Governor Umahi’s own LGA were arrested on trump-up charges of being cultists.

“In the same vein, Chief Henry C. Udeh (Ajim Best), from Okposi in Ohaozara LGA was brutally attacked for daring to hold PDP meeting in his own house, and many valuables, including vehicles were destroyed.

“Just now, we received a report that a member of our party, Prince Anyigor Methuselah KS, of Ezza North has been abducted and is reportedly being kept at the Cabinet Office of the old government house in Ebonyi State,” the party said.

The PDP further alerted Nigerians of Governor Umahi’s resort to labelling opposition voices in the state as cultists and terrorist elements as a ploy to victimize members of the party as well as incite federal security agencies against its leaders.

The party stated that Governor Umahi’s suppressive government is now sealing off homes and businesses of PDP members, all in a bid to cow and silence them.

“A hotel belonging to former Governor Sam Egwu has been sealed up while a private school belonging to another member of the PDP, Barr. Friday Agbom, was also sealed on trumped up charges.

“As a party, we are worried over the vexatious disposition of Governor Umahi towards the opposition, dissenting voices and other innocent citizens in the state; a development that has heightened security concerns and capable of triggering a huge crisis that can destabilize the state.

The National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the party, Ali Odefa, who also spoke on the issue said Governor Umahi, having realized that highly-placed party members failed to defect with him, has resorted to cheap blackmail and intimidating tactics.

He challenged the governor to test his popularity on the ballot after his second term in office on the platform of the APC to prove to Nigerians his electoral mileage. (Daily Independent)

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