From Fred Itua, Abuja
The Ohanaeze Youth Movement has criticised commens credited to the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, wherein he claimed to have known of meetings between the spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere, and the unidentified gunmen who attacked his residence at the weekend.
On Saturday, January 14, 2023, motorcades conveying gunmen, arsonists stormed the residence of Ugochinyere, who is also the PDP candidate for Ideato North/South federal constituency of the State, at his hometown in Akokwa, where four persons were killed including his Uncle.
It was noted that Governor Uzodinma, while reacting to the carnage, had accused Ugochinyere of violating an agreement which he (the PDP candidate) allegedly reached with unknown gunmen and it was Ikenga’s breach of the agreement that led to the attack.
The youth group, in a statement signed by its secretary general, Nwada Amaka, described the governor’s comment on the attack as shameful, saying that he has just exposed the depth of his knowledge of the attack prior to its execution.
The group said his attempt to divert attention by making wild allegations have shown that he is behind attack.
The group urged the police to ensure that all the perpetrators of this heinous crime get arrested quickly for immediate prosecution and necessary punishment as stipulated by law.
The statement reads:
“It’s actually disappointing thar after seeing the horrific pictorial and video evidences showing the extent of the damage and murderous escapades of those gunmen, the governor leading the state where this took place has this to say.
“An indigene’s House, cars were burnt down, his uncle’s and other people were brutally murdered. The governor who’s supposed to be in charge of ensuring the protection of lives and properties of the citizens he governs is busy making baseless accusations.
“This is not the first time Ikenga is being attacked, He was openly threatened by an appointee of a sitting governor just last month and last week, an attempt was made on his life. We urge security agencies to do the needful, no one is above the law, the perpetrators must be brought to book.”
