Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri
The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to set up an independent panel of inquiry over alleged burning of ancestral markets, shops and houses in Orsu-Ihiteukwa community in Orsu LGA of Imo State, by suspected members of Ebubeagu security outfit.
The PDP, made this call through the State Publicity Secretary, Collins Opuruzor, while speaking to newsmen in Owerri, on the Orsu attack.
The main opposition party, said it had to speak out because of what it described as the “silence of the regime of Senator Uzodimma,” adding that it was worrisome that the economic live-wire of the communities was destroyed.
According to the party, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State condemns in the strongest terms the bombardment of Orsu-Ihiteukwa, in Orsu Local Government Area of the State, which in its wake, reduced to ashes the popular Eke Ututu market and also claimed human lives.
“No security agency has taken responsibility for the attack, though media reports and community sources point out that the operation might have been carried out by the military. What is even more troubling is that some sources have however alleged that the barbarity was perpetrated by Ebubeagu, the rampaging state-sanctioned militia force.
“For the people of Orsu-Ihiteukwa and even neighbouring communities, Eke Ututu is the symbol of economic well-being, and it embodies their dreams for a better tomorrow. Today, this source of livelihood for many thousands of people has become a heap of debris.
“Yet, despite the tears, blood and ravages that the incident has wrought upon this hapless community, it is telling that till this moment, the wobbling APC regime in Imo State has not deemed it important to explain to the people what happened and why it happened.
“Imo PDP holds that the silence of the regime of Senator Hope Uzodinma in the face of this unprovoked attack on vulnerable citizens speaks volumes about the depth of disdain which the failed regime has for Imo people. This is a regime that has long abandoned the primary responsibility of government, which is the security of lives and property. The silence is therefore a tacit endorsement of the reprehensible act against the people of Orsu-Ihiteukwa.”
“Our party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately set up an independent panel of inquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the dastardly attack on unarmed citizens and bombing of a community market in Orsu-Ihiteukwa, and to bring those found culpable to book.
“Imo PDP commiserates with the people of Orsu-Ihiteukwa over this unjustifiable attack. Given the hardship which the destruction of the Eke Ututu market would bring, our party further calls on the Federal Government to move in expeditiously to facilitate the reconstruction of the razed market and recompense to the affected traders,” he said.
