The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora, AESID, has condemned the recent killing of a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member, Shedrack Nwode, and his fiancé over his alleged refusal to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
Recall that Mr Nwode was reportedly shot dead on Monday during the thanksgiving service of one of the governor’s appointees at Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the AESID President, Amb Paschal Oluchukwu, called on the Presidency, Inspector-General of Police, the Director, Department of State Security, National Security Adviser, Attorney-General of the Federation and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure that nothing happens to the elders and leaders of the opposition party in the state.
These leaders, according to the AESID include; “the former President of the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the first Civilian Governor of Ebonyi State and serving Senator representing Ebonyi North zone, Sen. Sam Ominyi Egwu, the Senator representing Ebonyi Central and his Southern counterpart, Senators Obinna Ogba and Ama Nnachi respectively.
“Others are; the member, representing Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives and the Vice-Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Iduma Igariwey, the member representing Ohanivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Livinus Makwe, his Ezza North/Ishielu counterpart, Hon. Edwin Anayo Nwonu, member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal constituency, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga and his Ebonyi/Ohaukwu counterpart, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku.
“Also on the list are stakeholders like; South-East Vice Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Ali Odefa, the zonal Auditor-General and immediate-past member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Hon. Lazarus Ogbee, zonal Youth leader, Comrade Chidiebere Egwu a.k.a (Hulala), all members of the State Care-Taker Committee of the PDP led by Chief Fred Udeogu, PDP elders and former NASS/ State Assembly members like; Sen. Emmanuel Agboti, Sen. Igwe Nwagu, Hon. Linus Okorie, Hon. Oliver Nwachukwu, Hon. Luke Nkwegu,
Chief Frank Ogbuewu, Senators Emmanuel Onwe and Nguji Ngele, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, Chief Boniface Ofoke, Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku, Chief John Nwenyi, Chief Julius Amah Orji and a host of other elders and stakeholders who signed the Abuja communiquè and vowed to remain in the PDP.”
Mr Oluchukwu said security agencies “must also provide adequate security and protections to the following lawmakers in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly who chose to remain in the PDP; Hon. Chris Usulor, Hon. Victor Aleke, Hon. Humphrey Nwuruku, Hon. Mrs. Franca Okpo, Hon. Chidi Ejem, Hon. Ngozi Eziulo, Hon. Ali Okechukwu, Hon. Oliver Osi and others who are in the PDP.
“AESID’s plea is highly predicated on the directive of Governor Umahi after last week’s security meeting that security agencies should ensure the implementation of policies on tinted glasses of vehicles in the State, the use of siren and the police escort.”
Recall that Governor David Umahi had defected from the PDP to the ruling APC, a development that over-heated the political and sparked political rivalry in the age-long PDP stronghold state.
The association further called on the Federal Government to call the governor to order in order to avert a political crisis in the state.
While noting that it is deeply interested in the peace, prosperity and progress of the state, the AESID said Mr Umahi should be cautioned from making further unverified allegations that could spark up political restiveness and unrest in the state.
Mr Oluchukwu said: “For wherever wars have taken place in history, words certainly went first.
“He must also in addition immediately call his appointees to order to avoid further attacks on innocent members of the opposition who are simply maintaining their inalienable constitutional right to freedom of association.
“We are therefore deeply worried that rather than face and confront these common issues of hunger, poverty and deprivation which our state that is rated the poorest in the entire Southern Nigeria is currently facing, governor Umahi in reality has chosen to remain an out-of-touch, unfeeling, feudal and anti-neoliberalism with consistent policies that have rather worsened the Economic status of our dear Ebonyi state.”
