The police in Imo on Saturday called for calm as youths protest following the postponement of the APC local government congress.

The deputy commissioner of police, Mr Ahmed Magaji, urged the protesting youths to go home and attend to their lawful businesses.

“Imo is a peaceful state. We, therefore, enjoin you to go about your lawful businesses and not allow anything to tarnish the good image of the state,” he said.

NAN reports that Mr Hilary Eke, the APC Imo Chairman, announced the postponement of the congress to Monday, following advice from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Eke said the postponement followed an attack by hoodlums on the party’s secretariat as well as other issues.

In another development, the Chairman has also confirmed the indefinite suspension of two members of the party -Mr Charles Amadi and Okenze Obinna.

Eke said in a separate statement that the suspended members were allegedly involved in anti-party activities.

In another development, however, the leadership of the APC in the state said it noticed with dismay the recent removal and replacement of the majority leader, Imo House of Assembly, Mr Uche Oguwuike and the purported plan to impeach the deputy governor, Eze Madumere.

APC Chairman in Imo, Mr Hillary Eke described the moves as unconstitutional and an aberration to the rule of law.

“The party wishes to use this opportunity to remind the leadership of the Imo state House of Assembly that it is the sole responsibility of the ruling party to remove and replace principal officers of the house.

“The removal of Uche Oguwuike is an aberration to the rule of law. And as we all know, Eze Madumere is a man of honour that has served this government meritoriously.

“He has the right to vie for any elective position. The news making the rounds that the Imo state House of Assembly intends to initiate an impeachment process against Madumere is not healthy at this point in time that the party is making concerted efforts to unite.

“The APC in Imo strongly condemns any form of victimisation to subdue one aspirant to the advantage of another. Remember the saying that ‘when you point one finger at someone, the remaining four point back to you,” he said.

He, therefore, appealed to the APC in Imo to remain calm and focused, adding: “The APC family in Imo is one strong, indivisible family that abhors intimidation. We are bounded in unity and together we shall overcome”, he concluded. (NAN)

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