Imo Guber Tussle: Tensions as Police, Thugs Allegedly Attack, Shot At Convoy of Labour Party Candidate
Attan Achonu, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party for the November 11 governorship election in Imo State, has accused the police of attacking him and his convoy.
Achonu also accused the police of preventing him from attending a church service on Sunday in Owerri, Imo state capital.
He told journalists on Sunday that he had gone to the church to honour an invitation but was prevented by police personnel and some thugs from gaining access to the church premises.
The LP governorship candidate said the police told him that the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election, was in church, therefore, he would not be allowed in.
Achonu alleged that the police personnel and some thugs attacked his convoy when he questioned them.
He also accused them of shooting at his vehicles.
Achonu said, “Today, I was attacked by policemen together with thugs working for APC. Myself and my supporters were attacked and they shot at us. We were at St Peter’s Anglican Church at Obibiezena in Owerri North to attend a church service. I was duly invited by the church to attend its synod but policemen stationed Armored Personnel Carriers and thugs said I was not going to be allowed to enter the church. They said that the governor was worshipping there.
“I confronted them and asked them why should I be stopped from worshipping God in my state simply because the governor is there. I called the Director of the DSS who called the state Commissioner of Police and spoke to Officer Ola, who disobeyed the Commissioner of Police. A lower-ranked officer disobeying a Commissioner of Police. I have not seen this one before. I confronted them but my wife held me and I was with a woman, I had to obey her.
“We turned our vehicles around and went home. They attacked my vehicles and shot at them. If not that my cars were bulletproof, there would have been casualties.
“I want to put the president of Nigeria and all Nigerians on notice about what Hope Uzodimma is using the police and thugs to do in Imo State. They want to annihilate us but I am more emboldened to lead this charge. I am leading the charge to liberate my people.
“Imo people should come out and vote Labour Party and defend their votes so that we will take back our state. I am happy that everybody has embarrassed the Labour Party in Imo state and we are working towards having the Imo state of our dreams.”
However. the spokesperson for the state police command, Henry Okoye, denied the attack.
He said that the police only advised Achonu not to campaign in the area since the candidate of the APC was already campaigning there.
Okoye said, “Nobody attacked the Labour Party candidate. We only advised him not to campaign in the area at the same time the APC candidate was campaigning in the area to avoid a clash of interests and possible breakdown of law and order in the state.
“The Labour Party candidate didn’t inform us about his campaign in the area but the APC candidate informed us and we were there to provide security. The Commissioner of Police advises political players in the state to stop misinforming the public. This misinformation is capable of escalating things which may lead to the breakdown of law and order in Imo State.”
Sahara reporters