The Atiku-Okowa presidential campaign committee in Anambra State has condemned alleged attacks on supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anaocha Local Government Area by thugs allegedly working for the Labour Party. Members of the PDP and supporters of Atiku-Okowa in Anaocha Council Area were said to have been subjected to series of attacks and molestations by some suspected political thugs working for their various paymasters to intimidate voters and deny them their franchise ahead of the February 25 poll.
The most recent attack, according to a statement signed by the Deputy Director Media and Publicity, Atiku-Okowa campaign, Uloka Chukwubuike in Anambra, occurred on February 12, 2023, at the Agulu countryhome of PDP Local Government Chairman for Anaocha, Chief Ambrose Afoekelu. There, the report claimed, a group of armed thugs believed to be former members of the deadly terror group under the aegis of “mpiawa azu” who controlled the State as well as devoted thugs who allegedly worked in Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 was said to have broken into the private home and the location of the PDP Agulu ward meeting at Odida Ama village, Agulu. They were said to have immediately descended on and inflicted bodily harm on the Council Area party Chairman and other party faithful present.
The victims were also allegedly dispossessed of their phones and other personal effects. “The attacks are more of a direct affront to the PDP’s commitment to peace, as well as to all of its members and Atiku-Okowa supporters in Anambra State, and they also violate the peace accord that all presidential candidates signed. “It’s really regrettable that the LP in Anambra State and their candidates have targeted our members and supporters with a variety of politically driven attacks over the past few weeks, mainly in the Agulu and Anaocha Areas, where the LP presidential candidate is from. “The mindless and ill-motivated attacks are clear indications of frustration and defeat on the side of the attackers who are going to lose to the PDP in the upcoming presidential election. That is why they allegedly unleashed terror on the PDP party loyalists and supporters of Atiku-Okowa ticket.
“According to reliable intelligence, the LP in Anambra State has allegedly recruited all former “mpiawa azu” gang members and been given the task of recruiting more vulnerably placed young people to stir up unrest and tension in the State and attack PDP party candidates anywhere in Anaocha Areas and across Anambra State so that they cannot freely campaign. “We aim to caution against taking the PDP and its candidate’s political maturity for granted or see it as a sign of weakness. In our press statement, we emphasize that this is due to adherence to the peace accord rather than a lack of action. “The LP must maintain its commitment to peace and abide by the 1999 constitution and other pertinent laws of the land that prohibit electoral violence, intimidation, and denial of the right to vote. If they do not, the PDP will not fail to defend its members, in rescept to self defence as equally guaranteed in the constitutions, because violence is not the exclusive domain of any one person or political party.“In the light of the fact that the LP has continued to campaign in areas and States controlled by the PDP party without facing any attacks, harassment, or intimidation, it is inappropriate if LP thugs and party urchins continue to harass and abuse free citizens in Anaocha Areas and throughout Anambra State. “Security agents must act appropriately and apprehend all involved and responsible to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order in the State. “We place a high priority on the safety and security of our supporters and candidates, and we will not stand by and watch as they suffer in the hands of political daredevils and potential losers, ” the statement read.
Source: The Sun