By Kamsi Anayo
The Labour Party (LP) has decried another attack on its secretariat in Imo state, accusing thugs and agents of the state government.
Mr Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the party made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday.
“At the early hours of today, Monday 28 August, the Imo state Secretariat of the Labour Party has once more been attacked by the police and thugs allegedly by the directives of the state government,” he said
Ifoh said the state chairman of the party, Barr. Callistus Ihejiagwa had earlier sent an SOS to the public informing Nigerians to come to the aid of the party which at the time was at the mercy of the attackers comprising of over a hundred Thugs and men of the police force.
According to him, in a voice mail sent to our party headquarters later, the state chairman of the party said, “We have been invaded by the thugs and policemen under the directives of Hope Uzodinma, they have pulled down all our flags, pulled down the banners of Peter Obi, pulled down the banners of our governorship candidate, seized People’s phone, beat people up, and committed all manners of atrocities just now in our office.”
He said when he confronted them, they said they were under directives by the state government to pulled down Peter Obi and Sen. Athan’s billboards but particularly that of Obi.
He said, “They were instructed to target Obi’s billboard everywhere in the city. One of the assaulted members of the party is presently hospitalized after the brutality meted at us.
“We are calling on the whole world to hear our predicament and come to our aid. The government is now hounding every opposition element in the state. “
Recall that early last week, the party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi led a crowd of party faithful and supporters including Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti and party members of the national assembly to formally inaugurate the governorship campaign of our candidate Senator Athan Achonu.
“The sea of heads that graced the occasion is believed to have sent a shocking warning of what will happen in the Nov. 11, governorship election in the state.
“You will also recall that thesame secretariat was attacked in March and as well in April this year by the police in connivance with the state government.
“We are therefore calling on the state government to refrain from using brute force and intimidation against opposition political parties in the state.
“We are also calling on the Inspector General of the Police to caution the government of the state and order the police commissioner in the state to rise to the occasion and check any further intimidation of the Labour party and our members in the state,” Ifoh said.
