The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, October 23, alleged plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hijack a police security conference and retreat scheduled to commence in Owerri, Imo State October 30.

The PDP, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, expressed reservations over the choice of Owerri as a venue for the planned event.

The party’s apprehension may have stemmed from the closeness of the conference and retreat to the Imo State governorship election slated for November 11.

The event, which Is being organised for senior police officers, is billed to end on November 1, some 10 days before the election.

Ologunagba called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to either move the conference to another state or shift it until after the November 11 Imo poll, saying that the planned event was not only generating tension but also sending the wrong signals across the state.

The party spokesman further stated that it would be inappropriate to hold the conference in Imo with Governor Hope Uzodinma seeking re-election as candidate of the ruling APC in the governorship election.

The PDP said: “Our party observes that it is inappropriate and against the principle of fairness and neutrality required in a charged election situation as presently existing in Imo State for Governor Uzodinma, the candidate of the APC, to be seen as sponsoring or hosting senior Police officers at this critical period, especially being very close to the election.

“The PDP and indeed the people of Imo State are deeply concerned following boasts by prominent APC leaders to the effect that the hosting of the Police Conference will enhance their alleged plots to compromise the Police to the advantage of the APC during the election.

“Such APC leaders including those fronting for Governor Uzodinma are boasting that the hosting of the Conference in Imo State will give the Governor access to certain senior Police officers, in furtherance of APC’s alleged bid to compromise security agencies ahead of the election.

“This is more so as APC leaders have on many occasions been seen bragging that they will use security operatives to suppress the people and help the APC subvert and manipulate the electoral process in favour of Governor Uzodinma.

“While the PDP appreciates every effort to enhance security in the nation and Imo State in particular, the timing and location of the conference at this period is of grave concern and apprehension to the people of Imo State, political parties, and stakeholders in the state.

“Our party confirms that it has been receiving messages of concerns and apprehension from the people of Imo State since the announcement by the Police to host the conference in the state under Governor Uzodinma.”

The PDP cautioned that hosting the conference in Imo State under Governor Uzodinma just a few days before the election, was a recipe for crisis, stressing that it’s capable of pitching the people of Imo State against security agencies.

The party said: “Our party, therefore, urges the Acting IGP, as a highly experienced and decorated officer, to save the situation and allay the fears of the people by moving the conference to another state or to a date after the election, if it must be hosted in Imo state.

“This is especially true as the provision of security is not by conference but by intelligence and proactive law enforcement operations.

“The PDP demands that the Police must protect its image, and reaffirm its impartiality and neutrality in the election by moving the conference to another state or another date after the Imo governorship election.” (The Nation)

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