Ebonyi bye-election: APGA express concern in plans to harm and threaten Eleje, its senatorial candidate

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Ebonyi State issued a warning on Thursday on a purported plot by suspected thugs to harm and threaten the Party’s senatorial candidate, Ifeanyi Eleje.

The Party disclosed this information in a statement that was signed by Samuel Agwu, the director of the Odohzia Ebonyi Campaign Council, and given to the media in Abakaliki.

The statement claims that thugs affiliated with council leader Uchenna Ibiam are planning to obstruct APGA campaigns in the Afikpo North local government area.

The statement reads, “Ebonyi State on the plot to disrupt APGA campaigns by the APC leaders in Afikpo North Local Government Area.

“The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Senatorial candidate, Ifeanyi Eleje, in the last election pulled over 12,000 votes and won his Afikpo North Local Government Area convincingly. Based on this fact, the candidate decided to run again, and Ebonyi APGA stakeholders also took a bold decision to support his second bid to the Red Chambers maximally.

“On Sunday, January 19, the Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Mr. Uchenna Ibiam, called one of Chief Eleje’s disciples. His instruction was clear, warning that APGA should not hold any political rally within the LGA without first obtaining ‘clearance’ from him.

“The call suggested impending danger for the party if it continues with the INEC directive that allows candidates of all eight political parties contesting for the Ebonyi south bye-election to proceed with their political campaigns for the bye-election,” the Party stated.

The leadership of the APGA has requested prompt action from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security forces. “We notify the public, the Essa Ehugbo Ruling Council, the government of Ebonyi State, the electoral umpire, and security agencies about the impending threat against our Party’s candidate’s formal campaign launch, which is only being done in accordance with an INEC directive.

“This is a period for campaigns that will span for only less than two weeks to the election, and APGA, as a party, will not succumb to the antics of any group of desperate politicians who may not be interested in convincing the electorates but use brute force, threats, intimidations, or even looming attacks or violence.

“We equally charge the security agencies to provide our candidate, Eleje, with adequate security and ensure that he is not harmed in any way,” the statement added.

Since he was not answering calls when this report was filed, Mr. Uchenna Ibiam, the Chairman of the Afikpo North LGA, has yet to respond to the accusations.

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