The Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Divine Mandate Campaign Council, has bemoaned the rate of killings of its supporters in Ebonyi State.
The Director, Directorate of Information of the Campaign Council, Barrister Uchenna Orji, disclosed this during a press conference at the campaign office of the governorship candidate of the party, Chief Francis Nwifuru, in Abakaliki.
He stressed that the killings were politically motivated, aimed at undermining the APC, ahead of March 18 governorship and state Assembly elections.
He said: “As the tempo of political activities is rising ahead of the March 18th, 2023 Governorship and the State House of Assembly Elections, we are mindful of the growing tensions generated by a few desperate opposition elements and their Governorship candidates who are frustrated by the turn of event and have resorted to raising dusts, instigating tensions and creating insecurity in some parts of the State. We have it on good authority that the opposition elements particularly APGA and PDP, having seen their imminent disgraceful failure in the coming election of 18th March, 2023, are doing everything possible to charge the atmosphere and distort the peace and security enjoyed in the State before, during and after the elections.
“We, therefore, warn that these enemies of the State be called to order by security agencies. The killing of one of the finest Traditional Rulers, who was until his death, the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in Ezza North, His Royal Highness, Eze Igboke Ewa, by gunmen suspected to be working for the Governorship Candidate of APGA is one of the recent unprovoked attacks that were meted against our people for no just cause.
“We understand that some culprits have been arrested and they have made confessional statements and yet, their sponsors are still moving freely and raining fire and brimstone against authorities.
“We also have a case of attack at Ezzagu Community in Ishielu LGA on the 18/02/2023 during the APC political rally where gun men made their way to the venue and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of Mr Emeka Nwausulor Enyiukpo and two others, who were seriously injured by their gunshots – Mr Chinedu Abel Anyalagu and Mr Orugbala Chukwudi. Also on the 22nd February, 2023, there was also another attack at Ohofia and Agba in Ezekoma Development Centre of Ishielu Local Government Area, where one Mr Monday Idoko and Festus were also shot dead by unknown gunmen.
“Just yesterday, 12th March, 2023, an APC member and Councilor of Achara Ward 2 in Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Hon Ogbonnaya Ugwu (SPACO) was gruesomely murdered and set ablaze in his car. There was also an attack on the Commander of Neighbourhood Watch, Mr Dickson Solomon on same Saturday last week wherein rains of bullets were thrown at him and God rescued him as he tells his ordeals. We also heard of the ugly incident that happened a night before the Presidential Election at same Court Area wherein another known Supporter of APC was gunned down.
“One would be left to conclude that the targets are APC Supporters and unsuspecting members of the public. These are instances of recent cases of unprovoked attack by criminal elements who do not want a peaceful election in the State.
“We strongly call on Security Agencies to please rise to their duties and work on the available information and bring to justice all the persons who are directly or indirectly involved in this needless attack to our people no matter how highly placed they are or the political party of their affiliation,” he stated.
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