Sen. Athan Nneji Achonu, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party for the Imo State November 11 governorship poll, has charged residents in the state to reject Gov. Hope Uzodinma whom he accused of despotic tendencies.
Achonu in a press statement by his Campaign Organisation cited oppressive activities of the government against the opposition and critics, saying they were antithetical to democratic practice.
“I am particularly disturbed by the case of the arrest and continued incarceration of the young man, Chinonso Uba, popularly known as Nonso Nkwa, who was picked up after work, at Ozisa FM, on July 27, 2023, and dragged from his car to an unknown destination, only to be told by the police that they had him in their custody. After an uproar had been raised by well-meaning citizens over his sudden abduction similar to the actions of unknown gunmen,” the statement read.
“He was subsequently whisked to Abuja where he has been incarcerated for over three weeks, without having access to his family or lawyers. He was recently charged to court on two counts bordering on cyber terrorism and insulting Governor Hope Uzodinma and Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo. The court refused him bail on the ground that it was not an urgent matter and can wait until when courts resume fully, after their vacation in September.”
The Labour Party flag bearer also recalled “the recent unsavoury incident, which took place at the Iriji Mbaise new yam festival ceremony, where Senator Sam Anyanwu (Samdaddy), the PDP governorship candidate and his delegation, were thoroughly embarrassed, humiliated and rough handled by fully armed unorthodox security personnel and thugs-like figures, allegedly acting on the instructions of the Imo State Governor, on the flimsy excuse that he was an uninvited guest at the event.
“These two incidents, in addition to the partial demolition and sealing up of All Seasons Hotel, owned by a prominent chieftain of an opposition party, as well as several other unreported examples of this politically motivated, strong-arm tactics of the Imo State Government to stifle and suffocate critics, are sending very, very dangerous and disturbing signals, that Governor Hope Uzodimma may have perfected a ploy to intimidate, harass and even clamp down on critics and opposition elements, including journalists and other professionals, who are dissatisfied with his administration, in the run up to the November 11 election.
“It is indeed shameful and reminiscent of a dictatorship, that some people in power are still resorting to brute force, intimidation, harassment, thuggery and all manner of devious strategies to muzzle the opposition and silence any voice it regards or perceives as criticising them.
“This is indeed an unfortunate reflection of our political trajectory in this day and age when we should be displaying greater maturity, decency and statesmanship and embracing peaceful, issues-based politics, especially in this election season.”
Further expressing disgust with the ugly situation in the state, Achonu urged the people to use their votes widely and hold out against Uzodinma and his strong arm tactics: “I am, however, consoled by the fact that Imolites are very much aware of what is going on and also know who is responsible for the harassment and intimidation. I call on Imo people to stand firm, strong and resolute in resisting this form of suppression of their voices by doing the needful and saying ‘never again’ to these suppressors on November 11, 2023.”
