Ebonyi APC chair, condemns continuous destruction of Party candidate billboards
Gracia Simeon- Abakaliki
The Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, has condemned the continuous destruction of his party governorship candidate hon. Francis Nwifuru, billboards in different strategic within the state.
Emagha, disclosed this during a meeting called by the Commissioner of Police with Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, Political Party Stakeholders and local Government Chairmen at Police officers Mess Abakaliki.
According to Emegha, only God can make a leader and not destruction of billboards.
APC chairman who also double as the Security Consultant in the state maintained that billboards does not cast vote and as such, destroying it by the opposition has no effect in the forthcoming general election as only human beings are eligible to cast vote on the election day.
Speaking on the allegations that the state government is using men of Ebubeagu security outfit to intimidate, harass and kill supporters of the opposition, Emegha, noted that about 12 members of the Ebubeagu Security outfit have been sent to prison for gross misconduct and urged the police to do the needful whenever any Ebubeagu member is found wanting.
His words “The moment the result is declared, the person you are fighting for will leave you and you will be the one to face it the consequences.
“The kind of myhems the opposition parties is creating in the state presently is very high. I want them to know that is God that makes a leader we should stop this allegations against Ebubeaguand Ebonyi State Government. You will go and do something and you will turn back and say is Ebubeagu is very unfair.
“Even when labour party did it really, our billboard was brought down and they fix their own but we did not complain. Please let us see this state as our own. Security agencies should help us, if you see any of my man that has done something wrong, draw my attention. You people can attest how many Ebubeagupersonnel’s that are in prison and if they are not much they are about 12 for going contrary to the law”. He said
Reacting, the commissioner of Police, CP Garba Aliyu, while urging other political parties to do their campaign within the rule of law, said every political parties has the right to campaign as far as they are not going contrary against the law as the law is no respectal of anybody.
He then charged journalists to be objective when confirming reports that they didn’t witness to reduce tension in the State.
The CP, who also disclosed that Ebubeagu security outfit is a non state actors, said they are not expected to be anywhere around the voting points, campaigns grounds.
The CP while noting that about 25 members of Ebubeagu are in the prison for unlawful behavior, urged the political parties to try and be law abiding, be their brothers keepers for the benefit of the State
“You people should try your possible best to be law abiding and be one and another brothers keeper. If there is anything, report to the nearest police station” he said
” press people I want you all to be objective in your confirmation in reports when you are not there. To be sincere with you this Ebubeagu is a non state actors they are not for electioneering there are for a purpose and if they commit any offence, they will be treated according as I speak, they are over 25 of them in prison custody”.
“Ebubeagu security outfit are not for electioneering, about 25 of them are in prison as I, speak.
Reacting to opposition parties moving with many numbers of armed men, and DPO partnering with the opposition parties in Onicha council area as alleges by the council chairman Chidiebere Uzor, the CP said “when the DPO is not doing well, we change him. same thing applicable to me if I am not doing well I will be changed”. He said
The CP, further urged the opposition parties to campaign within the law as the law is not respectal of anybody. He further advised those who wants to campaign using the government facility to consult the government.
2023: Catholic Bishop condemn increasing killings in Ebonyi, accuses desperate politicians
Gracia Simeon-Abakaliki
Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Rev. Peter Chukwu has accused desperate politicians of masterminding the increasing violence in different parts of the state, in their bid to govern by force.
The Bishop disclosed this in a homily at St. Theresa Cathedral, Abakaliki, where he condemned the violence in some parts of the state which has consumed lives.
He then urged the people to reject such politicians at the polls or be ready to face the consequences.
Chukwu also urged the people to pray for peaceful elections in the state and the country and averred that the general election will not be won by money and violence.
“Let us pray for a peaceful election. There is no peaceful campaign in Ebonyi State, there is much violence in Ebonyi. There is violence in Ebonyi; people were killed in Edda, AfikpoSouth local government area, people were killed in Isu, Onichalocal government area. A governorship candidate went to Izzilocal government area for campaign and his jeep windscreen was shattered with bullets.
“In Okpoto, Ishielu local government area of the state, the driver of the governorship candidate was killed while returning from campaign when he was attacked. Many who were in his convoy were wounded. Bullet pierced the candidate door but couldn’t pass the opposite side otherwise, he would have been killed. The governorship candidate is in shock now and it is one group that is doing all these things, people who want power by all means.
“So, if people of the state wants someone that will be harassing them with guns, it is left for you. If you condemn what is happening, they will come after you in the night and eliminate you. If it is this type of government that you want, go and institute it both in Ebonyi and Nigeria, it is left for you people. Go and institute such government if you like it, all of us will be in danger.
“This year’s elections will not be won by money, anyone sharing money to get votes will be disappointed. A violent person; killing people and destroying properties will be disappointed. A criminal person, an ocultic person will be disappointed because power belongs to God. You will see what will happen in Nigeria, you will see what will happen in Ebonyi State”.
