People Democratic Party (PDP), in Imo State, has criticised the state Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Barde, over the invitation extended to the former Governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha.

The party said the summon was politically contrived and warned the CP to thread with caution in the interest of peace in the state. The Command had, in a letter through the office of State Intelligence Bureau, dated March 13, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DSP Ukachi Opara, summoned Ihedioha; ex-Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona, and House of Representatives member-elect for Ideato Federal Constituency, Ugochinyere Ikenga, on alleged charges of murder, kidnapping and arson.

The trio, who are prominent leaders of the opposition PDP, were asked to come to the Command for interrogation with the CP, yesterday.

Imo PDP, through its Spokesman, Collins Opurozor, said: “The invitation was a calculated attempt by the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, to arrest and keep these prominent leaders of our party out of circulation during the House of Assembly elections on Saturday to enable him rig the poll and reestablish a weak and rubber stamp All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated House of Assembly.

“Our party, however, regrets that the police in the state has abdicated its duty of protecting life and property, and has, instead, allowed itself be debased and abused by Uzodimma, and deployed as tool for political vendetta. This is extremely dangerous.”

The party also petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Alkali Usman, over what it described as “completely insane, puerile and non-existent cases of kidnapping, murder and arson,” and demanded the immediate sack of the Imo police boss.

It said: “Our party calls on the IGP to quickly step into this matter to create a more responsible and responsive police Command in the state by overhauling the highly politicised police structure in the state and remove the current commissioner of police. This will rekindle faith in the fairness and credibility of the police and its capacity to secure Imo people.” The Guardian)

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