Ebonyi: Political thugs assault APGA members, destroy chairs, canopies

The incident occurred barely 48 hours after a separate reported assault on the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate for Ezza South State Constituency, Mr Rollins Offia Nwali, which reportedly resulted in two deaths.

An eyewitness, who spoke to journalists on situation of anonymity for safety causes, stated the newest incident occurred when the APGA candidate for the Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency seat within the House of Representatives, Prince Emeka Irem, was paying a peaceable courtesy go to to his ward chairman.

According to the eyewitness, the suspected attackers stormed the venue, destroyed chairs and canopies, and chased away APGA supporters who had gathered to obtain the candidate.

“If anyone has a disagreement or a different political interest, the best way is to go to the ballot and not to the battlefield,” the source added.

The eyewitness called on political stakeholders, youth leaders, security agencies and community elders in Ezza North to condemn the incident and work towards preventing a recurrence.

“We stand with Prince Emeka Irem and his team, and we appeal for calm. Let us remember that violence is not the best way.

“Let peace reign in Okposhi, let peace reign in Ezza North, and let peace reign in Ishielu Federal Constituency,” the supply stated.

Similarly, one other citizen of the state, Sir Chinedu Anyigor has referred to as on Governor Nwifuru, safety chiefs, the chairmen of Ezza North and Ezza South Local Government Areas, and elders of the Ezza clan to urgently deal with the reported political violence to forestall additional lack of lives.

Anyigor, in an announcement made accessible to journalists, urged the 2 native authorities chairmen to name their supporters to order earlier than the state of affairs escalated.

He warned in opposition to turning the Ezza clan right into a theatre of political violence, stressing that no political ambition was well worth the lack of human lives or the destruction of property.

“Ezza land must not be turned into a theatre of war where human lives and properties are treated as though they have no value. No political ambition or struggle for power is worth the blood of our people,” he stated.

Anyigor famous that the Ezza individuals had been recognized for traditions that valued equity, collective participation and respect for particular person rights. He warned that intimidation and pressure might deepen divisions inside the neighborhood.

He additionally appealed to conventional rulers, neighborhood leaders and revered stakeholders to intervene within the curiosity of peace and stability.

“Ezza elders must speak now! This is the time for our traditional rulers, community leaders and respected stakeholders to rise above personal interests and intervene decisively in the interest of peace,” he stated.

He added that the individuals of Ezza deserved peace, dialogue and unity moderately than intimidation and political division.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Comrade Eze Oko Splendour has challenged an alleged ban on political gatherings in Ezza South Local Government Area, describing the transfer as unconstitutional.

In an open letter addressed to the Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma, Oko argued that the council chairman lacked the authority to ban peaceable political conferences.

“I must use this medium to remind Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma that he does not have such powers to ban political meetings in Ezza South LGA during this election period. Freedom of association is a constitutional right,” he stated.

Oko maintained that residents had the suitable to carry peaceable conferences in Ezza South and different components of Ebonyi State, warning in opposition to the intimidation or harassment of opposition events.

He cautioned that political disagreements mustn’t plunge the state into turmoil, including that public workplace was a duty to serve residents moderately than intimidate them.

The Labour Party candidate additional alleged that inflammatory statements by some political leaders had contributed to the rising pressure within the state.

He cited a earlier declaration attributed to the chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Hon. Paul Ituma Eze, during which opposition events had been allegedly declared persona non grata within the council space.

Oko additionally alleged that Governor Nwifuru had inspired newly elected or appointed native authorities chairmen to deal firmly with opposition components of their respective areas.

However, the allegations regarding the governor’s remarks and the circumstances surrounding the reported restrictions on political gatherings weren’t independently verified.

The Labour Party candidate urged safety companies to supply sufficient safety for opposition events throughout conferences and different lawful political actions all through Ebonyi State.

He additionally inspired residents and political teams to stay law-abiding and search help from safety companies every time they felt threatened.

“Nobody has the powers to stop them from gathering in Ebonyi State, not even Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma. We must learn to give peace a chance in Ebonyi State because violence does not pay at all,” Oko stated.

He referred to as on political actors throughout celebration traces to embrace tolerance and peaceable engagement, stressing that Ebonyi State belonged to all its residents.

The reported assault in Okposhi and the considerations raised by political stakeholders have intensified requires pressing intervention to forestall additional violence as political actions collect momentum forward of the 2027 basic elections.

However, the circumstances surrounding the reported APGA assault, the identities of these accountable, and the allegations regarding restrictions on opposition gatherings stay to be independently established.

There was no response from the Ebonyi State Government, the affected native authorities chairmen or safety companies as of the time of submitting this report.