Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Idemili North and South federal constituency in the forthcoming election, Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi, has denied sponsoring gunmen terrorising Anambra State.
Some individuals, in a recent video which trended on social media, alleged that the politician was responsible for the insecurity in the state. A caller in the video, who did not disclose his identity, pointed fingers at the APC chieftain.
But Ibezi, in a statement issued by his media team through Ubaka Onwuanibe, denied the allegations, describing them as a campaign of calumny and a joke taken too far.
Ibezim, a former representative of the area in the National Assembly, wondered why some of his opponents in the forthcoming polls decided to tarnish his image just to score cheap political points.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored such social media ranting particularly in this political campaign period. But given the criminal nature of those outlandish allegations, it became imperative that we should issue a statement, at least, to assuage the concerns of many well-meaning Ndi Anambra and Umu Idemili.
“It is regrettable how low politics in Anambra State has become. Until lately, the only known blight on Anambra politics was its money-guzzling features. Vicious calumny, subterfuge and violence were never part of it and were seen to be common among some intolerant groups.
“However, with the involvement of blackmailers, low life and upstart in the politics of the state, an unhealthy aspect has been introduced. It will be wrong for anybody to go with the happy belief that violence of the utmost kind has not been brought into the politics of the state.
“What the producer and sponsor of the infantile and mendacious video did not bother to tell their listeners is the motive Ibezi may have had to sponsor such heinous crimes in Anambra. Why would Ibezi sponsor the death of people the anonymous caller in the video mentioned?
“Could those unfortunate victims, who were not even from Idemili North and South federal constituency, and who were not politicians in any way, have stood in the way of Ibezi’s political career? What value was their death to the progress or otherwise of Ibezi’s politics?
“It is understandable what the cowardly and callous sponsor is up to. As the February 25, draws nearer, it is increasingly clear that Ibezi’s opponents, particularly the one who has had lacklustre performance all these years, are not confident enough to face the electorate, without undermining their most dreaded opponent.
“They falsely believe the only way they could defeat Ibezi in the February 25 election is to malign his person and possibly link him to the recent insecurity in the state. That is how vain and petty some politicians have become.
“It is clear that the sense of entitlement of the sponsor of the vicious blackmail and his dynastic hegemony can no longer be sustained because of poor performance, hence his appeal to propaganda and character assassination. With nothing to show for his over 14 wasted years of representation, he is now clutching on every straw to keep afloat.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ibezi has never and will never be part of any plot to maim or kill anybody. Given the seriousness of the allegations, Ibezi has already briefed appropriate security agencies and his lawyers over this unsavoury development.
“Rather than be distracted, Ibezi will continue his intense and grassroots-focused campaigns in the 17 communities of Idemili, which have endeared him to Umu Idemili.
“Opponents should understand that this election will be different and the electorate are wiser. Only achievements will count before them and not mudslinging,” he said in the statement.