The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Prof Benard Odoh, on Thursday, narrowly escaped assination by suspected hoodlums in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Odoh, who narrated his ordeal to newsmen in Abakaliki, said he received a distressed call from his supporters that the council chairman of Izzi LGA barred him from coming or campaigning in Izzi land.
He noted that he visited Izzi LGA to address his teaming supporters ahead of the forthcoming general election in the State.
He expressed regret that the venue of the event was locked up by the council chairman of Izzi LGA to prevent him from addressing stakeholders and supporters in the area.
According to him: “We have a visit to Izzi LGA because Izzi is part of Ebonyi State. We have our supporters in Izzi because it is one of the 13 LGAs of the State. We have our campaign office there.
“As early as 6:00 a.m. this morning, I started receiving distress calls. One of our coordinators called and said that the chairman of Izzi LGA called and warned him that no event will take place in the local government, that he is under pressure from the State government.
“The DPO also called and raised the same alarm, that he is under enormous pressure that we shouldn’t come. I’m the Gubernatorial candidate of APGA in Ebonyi, and I’m in this race to govern everybody in the State, therefore, if I can’t go to Izzi, then it means that, I’m not qualified to stand election.
“On reaching Izzi LGA, we were confronted by Ebubeagu operatives. They shot at one of our cars, you can see it and the glass shattered. We went there with official security men, the police, the DSS, together with our campaign team.
“The governor David Umahi can’t force everyone, he should allow the people of the State to choose for themselves. This is not how to run democracy. We have right to reach to our people.
“We are reaching out to the public to be aware, this is what has happened today. Thank God, nobody was injured but serious gunshot injuries on our cars.
“In Ezza South last week, they confronted us there. Two days ago, we inaugurated our support team, and they were also there. This can’t be the way to get into government house in 2023,” he lamented.
When contacted for reaction, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State, CP. Aliyu Garba said, “I have just spoken with the guber candidate of APGA, Odoh.
“You know it can be political rivalry,” he stressed.
DAILY POST reports that ahead of the 2023 general elections, Ebonyi is experiencing a high level of political violence.
