MBAITOLI/IKEDURU NDC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATE CONDEMNS ALLEGED APC THUG ATTACK ON PARTY MEMBERS IN OWERRI
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives candidate for the Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Sunny-Unachukwu John, Esq., has condemned the alleged attack on members of the party by suspected thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during an NDC meeting held at Umuoyima in Owerri Municipal, Imo State.
Reacting to the incident, Sunny-Unachukwu described the alleged assault as a disturbing development that undermines the nation’s democratic values and the constitutional rights of citizens to freely assemble and express their political views. He expressed disbelief that, at this stage of Nigeria’s democratic journey, a ruling party would allegedly deploy thugs armed with axes, guns, baseball bats, knives, sticks and other dangerous weapons against citizens attending what he described as a peaceful political gathering.
According to him, it was particularly disturbing that elderly persons and young women were among those allegedly attacked during the meeting.
He warned that unless the Imo State Government and relevant authorities move decisively to curb political thuggery, intimidation and harassment of citizens exercising their constitutional rights, the state could become a breeding ground for political violence.
Sunny-Unachukwu maintained that it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that every citizen is allowed to participate freely in the democratic process without fear, intimidation or violence.
He also defended the presence of the party’s Owerri Senatorial candidate, Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha, at the meeting, stating that he had every legitimate right to meet with his constituents and appreciate them for their support during the party primaries.
“No political party should be silenced through violence,” he said, adding that Hon. Onyeaguocha, like every other Nigerian citizen, deserved to engage with his supporters without intimidation.
The NDC House of Representatives candidate further called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in Imo State to remain impartial by maintaining law and order, arresting those responsible for acts of political violence, and ensuring that all offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Sunny-Unachukwu also dismissed claims by the APC that the incident was an intra-party conflict, describing such assertions as false and misleading. He alleged that government officials sponsored the attack, which, according to him, resulted in the destruction of NDC property and the confiscation of mobile phones belonging to party members in an attempt to prevent the incident from being recorded.
While calling for calm, he urged NDC supporters across Owerri Zone and Imo State to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the alleged provocation. He likened the actions of the ruling party to those of a panicked football defender attempting to stop an opposing striker through foul play, insisting that intimidation would ultimately fail.
He reiterated that the NDC remains committed to pursuing its political objectives through peaceful and democratic means and vowed that no amount of intimidation would discourage the party from participating fully in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Sunny-Unachukwu concluded by expressing confidence that the NDC, under the presidential candidacy of Peter Obi, would continue its campaign to democratically challenge the APC at all levels of government. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to building a fair, just and peaceful political environment while working towards ending political violence in Nigeria.
Emeka Amaefula —-+234(0)8111813069—
