A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Barrister Ifeanyi Nworie, has accused the state police command of failing to protect opposition supporters during a recent attack on a PDP gathering, alleging that its conduct favoured the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nworie made the allegation during a meeting with journalists in Abakaliki on Wednesday.
Key Highlights
- Nworie alleges police officers watched as suspected thugs attacked PDP members.
- He said 10 PDP members were injured during the incident.
- The Ebonyi Police Command denies receiving any petition or request for security.
- The APC chairman also denied the party’s involvement in the attack.
Nworie, who defected from the PDP to the APC after the 2023 general elections, recently announced his return to the opposition party.
He alleged that more than 50 suspected thugs disrupted a PDP rally organised to receive him back into the party at Ikwuator village, Idemba community, in Ezza South Local Government Area.
According to him, the rally was initially scheduled for the village square but was moved to his residence after security concerns emerged. He alleged that the attackers later stormed the venue, destroyed chairs and canopies, and assaulted people attending the event.
Nworie further alleged that 10 PDP members were injured and that journalists covering the event were also attacked.
“The police watched as the thugs stormed the venue and attacked me, beat my supporters and disrupted the rally,” he said.
He maintained that he had written to the police command requesting adequate security ahead of the event because of threats to his life and those of his supporters.
However, the Ebonyi State Police Command denied receiving any letter or petition concerning the alleged attack or the planned event.
In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, the police said no petition had been submitted seeking security protection.
“The command wishes to state unequivocally that no petition relating to any of the alleged attacks has been received by the Ebonyi Police Command,” Ukandu said.
The APC in Ebonyi State also denied involvement in the incident.
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The party’s chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, said individuals uncomfortable with Nworie’s political activities could be responsible for the attack.
“As it has to do with APC in Ebonyi State, we watch the body language of our governor. He doesn’t want to offend anyone. As such, we must toe his path,” Emegha said.
He added that the APC had no reason to engage in violence, arguing that Governor Francis Nwifuru would not support such conduct.
The conflicting accounts have heightened concerns over political violence and the protection of opposition parties as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
