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The call for a free, rule based political activities have been increasing in Ebonyi state amidst incidences of violence on various political candidates.
Governorship candidates of Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) have condemned incessant attacks allegedly by operatives of Ebubeagu security outfit on opposition politicians in Ebonyi State.
Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, the Coalition of Frontline Governorship Candidates in Ebonyi State accused Governor Dave Umahi of visiting violence on candidates of opposition parties in the state.
The candidates regretted that barely one week after the celebration of the state’s 26th anniversary, strange and unimaginable things have begun to happen. In a communiqué jointly signed by Dr. Edward Nkwegu (LP), Chief Ifeanyi Odii (PDP), Chukwuma Nwandugo (AA); Prof. Bernard Odoh (APGA) and Chief Sunday Opoke (YPP), the coalition urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to call his men in Ebonyi to order and keep to the highest standard of professionalism by refusing to serve the evil intentions of the governor towards the 2023 polls.
Chronicling the various instances of attack, abduction and unexplained disappearance of people, the governorship hopefuls called for immediate disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit, saying it has turned into a political militia.
They listed the flogging of civil servants, abduction of LP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South (Linus Okorie), attacks on the APGA governorship candidate (Odoh) and his supporters, teargasing of Obidients and sudden disappearance of Mr. Uzoma Ani, an aide to Odii, as some of the glaring cases of violent intimidation of the opposition.
It, therefore, appealed to the international community, particularly the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and European Union (EU) as well as the United States (U.S.) and United Kingdom (UK) embassies to investigate the alleged abuse of human rights by Umahi and other key actors in his government.
“We ask the embassies to review their requests for travels, as a strong signal to those who seek to derail our democracy and a demonstration of your commitment to protect human rights and justice,” they said.
While insisting that the incumbent All Progressives Congress government in Ebonyi wants to create a climate of fear to scar away voters and make them helpless, the coalition urged the supporters to remain law-abiding.
The communiqué reads: “We totally condemn the unlawful and dangerous actions of the ruling APC government led by Governor David Umahi to deliberately derail the campaign.
“Leaders of the National Peace Committee should consider the necessity of administering oaths of good conduct and non-violence on Umahi and others contesting elective positions in the state.
“Government and partners should do all within their power to protect Ebonyians and safe-guard the sanctity of the electioneering process in Ebonyi.”
