By Kehinde Olatunji
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Imo State, has alleged fresh plot to frame and arrest its candidates, as well as other party members, including Kingsley Uju-Chima, Ugonna Ozuruigbo and Others.
This is contained in a statement by the party’s state Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor, yesterday, in Owerri.
The party said it has also uncovered how detained criminals were allegedly being compelled to confess and implicate the party’s candidates over insecurity in the state.
The party noted it has credible intelligence about conspiracy to frame, arrest and detain key leaders, as well as candidates of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections on trumped-up charges of masterminding insecurity.
The statement reads: “At the moment, some suspected criminals, who have been arrested and detained over armed robbery, rape, murder, kidnapping and other crimes, are being tortured in various detention facilities across the state, and compelled to admit that they were recruited and armed by opposition candidates, as well as leaders to stoke the fire of insecurity in the state.
“In particular, these detained suspects are being taught to act a script, when being paraded before journalists, that they are part of the so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ wreaking havoc across the state.
“They are to mention the name of Kingsley Uju- Chima, who is our candidate for Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta /Oru West Federal Constituency, as their sponsor. Also, they are being tortured to implicate Ugonna Ozuruigbo, our candidate for Isu/Nkwere/Njaba/Nwangele Federal Constituency.”
Opurozor recalled that, in recent past, similar attempts had been made by this regime to rope former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, Gerald Irona, Uche Onyeagucha and other leaders of the party into the festering insecurity.
“Audio recordings, including telephone conversations, with incendiary messages, were cloned and ascribed to our leaders by agents of this administration.
“Furthermore, a handful of mischief-makers were hired to protest and demand for the arrest of our leaders.
“Most recently, our candidate for Ideato Federal Constituency, Ikenga Ugochinyere, suffered same fate, as trumped-up charges were preferred against him.
“In view of the foregoing, Imo PDP deems it compelling to advise the state Commissioner of Police to be wary of the antics of those involved in the conspiracy.”
Source: The Guardian
