Abia State Chapter of Labour Party (LP) said it has noted with shock and disappointment the rising wave of unprovoked acts of political violence being unleashed against its members by agents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led Abia state government against its members and supporters.
In a statement signed by Njoku Jerry Ajike, state publicity secretary, (LP), and Ferdinand Ekeoma, spokesman,
Alex Otti Campaign Organisation, Labour Party accused the PDP-led state government of deploying “anachronistic strategy which is rooted in primitive violence and undemocratic extremism” to threaten and attack her members.
“We clearly understand that the intention of the government is to instill fear and panic in the minds of our supporters and other opposition members ahead of campaigns for the 2023 general election.
“In some cases, our members and supporters have either been threatened, attacked in their houses, ejected from venues of meetings or prevented from holding peaceful gatherings”.
The statement made it clear that Labour Party is a peaceful party made up of responsible and law abiding citizens who are desirous of pursuing their political ambitions with decency and decorum devoid of violence and brigandage.
The party said as such, none of its members would intentionally engage in acts capable of breaching the peace of Abia state and endangering the lives and properties of Abians.
LP said notwithstanding the peaceful disposition and dedication of her members in pursuing their political ambition in adherence to the provisions of the laws of the law and known democratic tenets, that it would not under any circumstance sit idly and watch Abia state government and PDP “unleash their medieval brigands on our law abiding members, supporters and indeed innocent Abians”.
The noted with dismay, the plot by the PDP led- Abia state government to use false petitions to intimidate and illegally incarcerate their members, especially candidates whom they consider threats to their ambitions, adding that it was one impunity they have resolved repel.
The statement read in part,
“That the PDP led government’s premature panic is a creation of calamitous failure in the governance of Abia state, hence their fear of taking part in a free and fair democratic contest which they know would give Abians the opportunity to pass their PVC-induced guilty verdict on them.
“That the misdirected energy and misused resources being deployed to hound, harass and humiliate innocent Abians who are poised to getting rid of the PDP come 2023 should be channelled to reviving and repositioning our key institutions that are presently being grounded in high proportion as a result of the present government’s directionless leadership.
“A state being ravaged by insecurity to a point that its citizens from Umunneochi, Isuikwuato and its surroundings cannot visit their homes or freely engage in business activities due to kidnapping should not have a government that’s so careless and insensitive to the point of abandoning such challenges and resorting to wasting public funds fighting imaginary political enemies, even after pocketing hundreds of millions from security vote every month.
“That the Labour Party, it’s leaders, stakeholders and indeed her supporters across the nation will no longer tolerate any violent onslaught from the PDP led Abia state government. This release serves as last warning”.
LP said Abians deserve peace and all must collectively work to maintain peace in the state for the sake of her people.
