The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has suspended for one week the party’s campaigns to mourn the four persons murdered last week during an invasion of the residence of the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Ideato North/South, Ikenga Ugochinyere.

On Saturday, January 14, 2023, motorcades conveying gunmen stormed the residence of Ugochinyere, who is also the Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), at his hometown in Akokwa, where four persons were killed including his Uncle.

In a separate internal memo issued by the party’s state Secretary, Hon. (Nze) Ray Emeana, and titled, ”Suspension of Campaigns for One Week and Visit to Security Agencies,” the party resolved to stage a protest at the police station and office of the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).

For the protest which will take place on Wednesday 18 January 2023, at 10 am, he said the candidates are mandated to come with ten leaders from each Local Government Area.

The memos dated 16th January and addressed to all party candidates, members and campaign council chairmen, read in parts, “Recall the resolution the SWC and candidates of the party to with: To walk from the State Secretariat of the party to the offices of the State Commissioner of Police and the Director, State Security to submit letters of protest.

“Note that all SWC members, all candidates, all LGA Chairmen and ten Leaders from each LGA will proceed to the above offices as follows. Attendance by all SWC Members, LGA Party Chairmen, Candidates and selected Leaders are MANDATORY and on time."

The other memo reads: “Suspension of Campaigns for One Week. In view of the attack on the Candidate of the Party in Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency and the gruesome murder of three members of the Party, the Party hereby declares one week of mourning and suspends all Campaigns for one week.”

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