The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in Ebonyi State, Prof. Benard Odoh, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alkali Baba Usman and other security chiefs in Nigeria over the continuous attacks and destruction of the party’s billboards in the state.
Prof. Odah, who accused the Ebubeagu security operatives in the state for masterminding the attacks and destruction of his billboards in the state, alleged that they are no longer safe from attacks in the state.
The APGA guber candidate made this known in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Charles Otu on Thursday.
Prof. Odoh further urged the governor of Ebonyi state David Umahi to call to order the Ebubeagu operatives, and possibly to bring to book the perpetrators, to avert clashes of interest between members of the public and the operatives in Ohaozara LGA and other places in the state.
The statement reads in part: “It is becoming glaring that despite several warnings; the Umahi-led APC government in Ebonyi and its candidates for the 2023 general elections are more prepared for war than discuss the numerous issues plaguing our dear State.
“We once again beckon on the various security agencies to investigate this particular attack on our campaign billboards just like we await their findings on the ones destroyed penultimate week in the Abakaliki metropolis. We have not yet been informed of any arrests made so far despite our petitions to the various security agencies.
“We call on all our supporters and members to remain strong, firm and unshaken in their belief in our determination to bring a breath of fresh air into our polity by redefining our beloved Ebonyi State which everyone would be proud of.
“We know that the journey will not be an easy one as it has never been easy to bring a political revolution upon a land. But we remain unfazed and will continue to speak to issues and remain civil and polite in all our engagements before, during and after the 2023 general elections in which we are certain that the masses would give us their esteemed support,” the statement added.
When contacted, the special consultant on security to the state government, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha, said the owners of the billboards have not paid IGR to the state government and as such, have not secured approval from the state capital city boards, before going to mount their billboards.
