In a statement issued in Owerri, the state capital, the state PDP’s spokesperson, Emenike Nmeregini, flayed the governor’s speech on Easter Sunday wherein the governor was quoted as questioning why opposition leaders were not attacked by bandits.
The PDP’s spokesperson called on the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to call Uzodinma to order over the speech.
The statement read in part, “This party strongly views as shocking, desperate and condemnable, the statement credited to Governor Uzodinma in his Easter message, where he wondered why bandits, killers, arsonists, terrorists and militants have not been attacking and wiping out opposition figures in Imo.
“By that reckless statement, Uzodinma confirms reports that his government has hatched wicked plots to commence systematic elimination of perceived political opponents, especially those who disagree with him.
“Governor Uzodinma’s open call for the elimination of members of the opposition in the state portrays his mindless, unconscionable intolerance and disdain for opposition’s constructive criticisms.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to note and order an immediate investigation of Governor Uzodinma’s latest outbursts and threats against innocent citizens of Imo State and do the needful.
“This party notes also with dismay the inexcusable failure of the APC-led administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma to address the festering insecurity in the state. This situation gets worse and the carnage only increases. In the last few days, the Orlu LGA and its environs have been on fire, with gory images and videos of killings and arson dominating the cyberspace.
“Even Easter celebration in most parts of Orlu, Orsu, Oru East and Oru West LGAs became a festival of sorrow and blood as gunshots, deaths, fire and pandemonium reigned across the areas. All of these point to a catastrophic failure of government. They are direct consequences of an inept and clueless leadership, one that has failed to deliver the basic duty of governance – security of lives and property.
“This party regrets that even in the face of these killings and mindless attacks on private homes and public institutions, Governor Uzodinma has never seen the urgency to properly diagnose the situation and set in motion honest, sustainable programmes aimed at permanently addressing the menace. He has, regrettably, instead chosen to trivialise and grandstand over his bloated ego.
“Embattled Governor Uzodinma only engages in cheap lies and propaganda, and buck passing as his own solution to a situation that consumes hundreds of innocent lives, which he has the responsibility to tackle.
“He had set a date in January for the naming of the so-called sponsors of the killings. And he has failed to do so. Rather he continued to seek ways to frame his perceived political opponents and rope them into the orgy of violence.
“It is mind-boggling, and it smacks of mischief and deliberate attempt to eliminate his perceived political foes, that while the military in Imo has blamed another group for the Easter Sunday attacks in Orlu, Uzodinma has continued to say the opposition should be held responsible for the onslaughts.
“What could be more indicative of Uzodinma’s intellectual inadequacy to govern Imo than that, instead of arresting and prosecuting criminals who kill innocent citizens, he chooses to toy with the monsters, romanticise the unfortunate killings and politicise the situation. He also places no premium on the lives of Imo people, the same people he pretends to govern.
“While commiserating with all those who have been affected by these killings, maiming and arson in Imo State, we task security agencies on professionalism, and enjoin citizens to be prayerful and vigilant at this avoidable, very trying period.
“Our party feels the pulse of the people and the polity. The pathetic Imo situation, no gainsaying, is far from the vision of our founding fathers and that of our party.”
Reacting, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said “The PDP’s statement is incoherent and totally nonsensical. Even a primary school pupil would have made a better presentation than the gibberish from the PDP.
“How can the governor pointing out the obvious fact that the bandits are attacking only the APC members, which is a clear evidence that the attacks are politically motivated, amount to his calling for the elimination of his political opponents. Nothing can be more childish and illogical.
“It is truly unfortunate that what is left of Imo PDP is the hollow statement from it’s publicity secretary. We will therefore not descend so low to join issues with a party that has lost every dignity and is now a shadow of itself.”
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