By Nurat Uthman
Allegations and counter-allegations on Wednesday took over the political atmosphere of Imo state over the alleged plot to disrupt the Imo governorship election on November 11, 2023.
This time around the battle is between the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC the Imo Progressives Movement, IPM, and the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo state.
While the IPM, through the Director General, Comrade Jeff Nwaoha, said that the PDP, has “Sealed a deal with two warlords in Rivers and Edo States to invade Imo State with over 2,000 armed militants and unleash mayhem on the populace to stop the governorship election from holding. These armed bandits are to be deployed across the twenty-seven LGAs of the State, and their mandate is to attack electoral officials and hijack and divert electoral materials.
“The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, just unwittingly confirmed this plot to destabilize Imo State ahead of the election when he issued a bizarre statement, mischievously advising the Nigeria Police Force to cancel the Conference and Retreat of senior police officers scheduled to hold in Imo State. The anger in his tone betrayed his party’s deep frustration with the planned police conference.
“IPM is now curious to ask: “Why are PDP agents scared of a security conference in Imo?” The answer is simple, the conference will thwart their dark agenda to import militants and set Imo ablaze. It is very unfortunate!
“Further, our impeccable sources have also uncovered plans by these same PDP henchmen to ignite the flames of crisis within the security establishment in the State by raising spurious allegations against our law enforcement agencies and calling for the removal of the heads of security agencies. They expect that by puncturing public confidence in the security agencies and throwing the very security apparatus of the State into disarray, they can be in good stead to wreak havoc upon our State.
“IPM, therefore, stands strongly with the security agencies in Imo State and enjoin them to never rest in their oars. We commend their dedication, gallantry and huge sacrifices in keeping our State safe by protecting the lives and property of our people. They must never be dissuaded by the shenanigans of the few enemies of the State.”
But the PDP, through the Director of New Media, Lancelot Obiaku, said: “That is what APC, is capable of doing in Nigeria and in Imo state. They did it in the last election. So, the PDP, in Imo state has always relied on the will of the people. We are only asking INEC, and security agencies to give us a level playing ground. Ones that is done the PDP will emerge victorious. The APC knowing what is coming up and that the PDP, is coasting to victory they are making this kind of allegations.”
