Ahead of the 2023 general election, the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate, Prof Benard Odoh, and his campaign team were, on Thursday, reportedly attacked by suspected personnel of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit.
It was gathered that Odoh and his team were allegedly attacked in the Izzi Local Government Area of the state, where they were to meet with party faithful, officials, and supporters, on Thursday.
In a video that is trending on social media, our correspondent saw an image of a shattered windscreen of a Toyota SUV.
Narrating his ordeal to journalists, in Abakaliki, on Thursday, Odoh said the incident signposted ‘war’ on democracy and the people of the state, adding, “if I can’t go to Izzi, it means I’m not qualified to run for the election.”
He said, “We were on a visit to Izzi LGA today to meet with our supporters and some of our party officials in that council area. This is because Izzi LGA is one of the 13 local government areas of the state. We have our supporters and campaign office there.
“As early as 6am this morning, I started getting distress calls. One of our coordinators there, called and said the Chairman of that local government warned him and said no meeting should take place in his local government and that he was under pressure from the government. The DPO also called and raised similar alarm that he was under same pressure and that we should not come.
“I am the governorship candidate of APGA in Ebonyi State. I am in this race to govern everybody in the state. Therefore, if I can’t go to Izzi, it means I’m not qualified to run for the election. And that was why I went there.
“We were confronted by the Ebubeagu team (I don’t know what to call them now). I don’t know whether they are government militia or terrorists. They shot at one of our cars. You guys can see it right here shattered. And we went there with official security men- the Department of State Services and the police, and our full campaign team.
“That’s the latest development. They have taken the war directly on us and we want to let the world know what’s happening here in Ebonyi State. This is our state, nobody is a stranger here. They have declared war on us. We are not cowards; we are not fools. This is undemocratic.
“He (Umahi) can’t force anyone on Ebonyi people. Ebonyi people have the right to make choice on who becomes their leader. This is not how to run democracy. We have rights to reach out to our people. I have four local government areas- Ezza South, Ezza North, Ikwo and Ishielu. Will Francis Nwifuru come there to campaign with this kind of behaviour?
“So, we are putting this out to the public, for them to be aware that this is what has happened today. Thank God nobody was injured but we have sustained gunshots injuries on our cars. This is why we thought it wise to address the press this afternoon. From here, we are going to lodge a formal complaint at the Ebonyi State Police Command. After that, we are going to another local government and we hope they (the Ebubeagu) meet us there.”
He added, “In Ezza South, last week, they confronted us there. Two days ago, we were inaugurating our support team, they were also there. This can’t be the way to get into Government House. This is not the way to do it.
“Yes, of course, we met our supporters in Izza. But our office was under luck and key. They had come before our arrival and chained the office. However, we met our supporters outside the office and addressed them. There are video clips of this incident today. Dr. Laz Eze was on ground and he did live coverage of the incident. Look at the shattered SUVs and these are gunshots.
“My advice to Ebonyians is, this is our state and we will not run way from this state for anybody. We will stay here. The only thing that will stop this kind of situation is people rising to face it squarely. ”
When contacted, the State Police Command linked the development to political rivalry.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Garba Aliyu, stated this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday.
He said, “Attacked for where? I have just spoken with the APGA governorship candidate. It could be political rivals.
“I don’t know anything about it now. Until I confirm further, I don’t know.”
