Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The council Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Chidiebere Uzor, has call on political parties in the state to maintain peace and shun violence in the area.
The chairman gave the charge on Thursday while refuting the allegations that he sent thugs to attack a House of Assembly candidate, Ifeanyi Ogba, in the area.
Members of Labour Party in Oshiri community had on Wednesday staged a protest where they accused the Chairman of sponsoring the attack on Mr Ọgba.
He denied attacking the Labour Party candidate and promised to fish out the perpetrators that are disguising themselves as his supporters to attack people in his council area.
The chairman, who promised to protect the lives and properties in his council area, charged the security agencies in the area to rise up and fish out all the criminal elements causing crisis in the area in the name of politics especially during this festive period.
According to him, “As the father of the local government , I will not allow anybody that will come to cause crisis in Onicha LGA to succeed. I have ordered the security agencies to arrest, prosecute anybody that hides himself under any political party to cause problem in Onicha because my local government is the most peaceful area in Ebonyi and must remain peaceful.”
“All political parties should also respect themselves and do the needful, if you are campaigning, do campaign, canvass for people to vote for you but don’t cause violence or kill anybody because of politics.”
“If there is anything happening in the area I have not been briefed and I will look into it now for peace to remain,” the chairman said.
The protesters with placards, “Say no to campaign election violence in Oshiri; “say no to political intimidation, witch-hunting in Oshiri;” “politics is not a do or die affair;” urged the Governor of the State David Umahi, to protect his people from further attack.
According to one of the protesters, Mr. Abel Igboke, “we are here to protest the dastardly attack on our son who is contesting for the state Assembly, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Ogba of the Labour Party.
“My appeal is that Governor David Umahi (sic) to calm down the people and ensure that peace will reign and every political party will have time to campaign without fear.”
Sunday Nwinya, Coordinator Labour Party (LP) Oshiri, also condemned the attack.
He however appealed to the Federal Government, Inspector General Police, and the State Government to beef up security in the area.
“Unknown people attack our office, cart away with some properties in our campaign office, we replaced the banner and it was damaged also.”
Another member of Labour Party, Chiadikaobi Eze, urged his people to desist from attacking their brothers in the name of politics and embrace peace.
According to him, if nothing is done there may be no election in the area because of fear.
