By Pleasure Onohwakpo
Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta State has condemned in it’s strongest terms, the ongoing harassment and intimidation of its members resident in some Local Government Areas, by agents of the PDP with the support of some Council Chairmen.
A release by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Barr. Valentine Onojeghuo, disclosed that the party has petitioned Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, specifically accusing members of the PDP and Council Chairmen of Udu, Sapele and Ughelli North Local Government Areas of being behind the assault intimidating members of their members for allegedly voting against their party in the last general elections.
The release further alleged that APC members in Udu are currently being forced out of their jobs and business places on the order of the Council Chairman, Mr. Jite Brown.
The APC which viewed this actions as a political vendetta against those who were believed to have voted against the PDP in the just-concluded election, noted that the party has decided to embark on this revenge mission as a payback for their defeat by the opposition, especially in the House of Assembly election.
It further disclosed that armed thugs who were identified as agents of the PDP are currently moving from house to house of APC members in the area, subjecting them to all manners of assault, including physical beating, pointing out that this amounts to a violation of the victims’ fundamental rights and the right and freedom to elect their leaders as guaranteed by the constitution.
“The attention of the All Progressives Congress Delta State has been drawn to a systematic and well coordinated intimidation and harassment being conducted against members of our great Party, purportedly at the behest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the tacit support of the Delta State Government.
“This callous and crude display of intimidation and harassment against innocent citizens of the State, is intended to serve as a vengeful vendetta against perceived ‘enemies’ that voted against the candidates of the PDP and the State government in the just concluded general elections.
“Presently, members of our party are being intimidated and publicly harassed from their official work places and homes. This ugly situation is noticeable in Udu Local Government Area, where members of our party are being forced out of jobs in all the motor parks, tipper garages and sand beaches by PDP members on the directive of the Council Chairman, Jite Brown, who coincidentally lost the House of Assembly elections to Hon. Collins Egbetamah of our party and has decided to embark on this revenge mission as a payback for his defeat.
“More worrisome, is the fact that in Jite Brown’s home community of Aladja, armed thugs are going from house to house of APC members and subjecting them to all manners if harassment and physical assault while issuing threats to them to vacate the community.
“The All Progressives Congress view this shameful and disgraceful treatment being meted out to its members as a retribution for expressing their constitutional rights of freedom of association and the free will to elect candidates of their choice, as completely against the tenets of our constitution and totally repugnant to natural justice”, the release noted.
The APC leadership, therefore, called on the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to direct those involved in the perpetration of the dastardly act against the party members, to desist henceforth in the interest of security and peaceful co-existence, adding that although the APC is a peaceful entity, it will not fold its arms, watching its members being harassed, beaten and humiliated by those claiming to be very loyal to the PDP.
“Consequently, the Delta State APC seizes this opportunity to call upon Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to, as a matter of urgent public safety and security, and the need to maintain a peaceful environment, immediately direct all those currently engaged in this unholy act of savagery and barbarity against innocent indigenes of the State, to desist forthwith any or every act of political intimidation and harassment against imaginary enemies as an expression of their loyalty to the State government and PDP.
“As a law-abiding organization that values the rules of law and abhors any act of brigandage capable of causing breach of peace, the All Progressives Congress Delta State, will not idly stand by and watch its members being continuously subjected to this spiteful and worrisome behaviour that threatens their very existence and livelihood as we will deploy every available options within the ambit of the law in ensuring their safety and dignity”, the APC stated.
It would be recalled that a few days ago, the chairman of Sapele Local Government Council, Hon. Eugene Inoaghan, dismissed seven of his aides in what is widely believed to be the aftermath of the just-concluded elections.
In a letter signed by the Council Secretary, Hon. Felix Ayemudejor dated March 21, 2023, it stated that the sack was with immediate effect.
Those affected include:
1 Hon Adibor Igho – Executive Assistant to the Chairman on Legislative matters.
2. Mr Frank Nujimen – Chief Strategist
3. Mr Ese Egigba – SA on Education
4. Miss Vivian Umukoro – SA, girl child
5. Florence Mujakperuo – SA , Women mobilization
7. Mebugbandu A. Etan – SA, Youths Mobilization and;
8. Shine Omamogho – SA, Youths Mobilization.
Similarly, the chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Hon. Godwin Adode, relieved seven of his aides of their duties.
In a release, he personally signed, the chairman dissolved the executive arm of the Council which comprised of the Council Secretary and Supervisors.
“This is to inform the general public that the executive arm of Ughelli North Local Government comprising the secretary and the supervisors are hereby dissolved with effect from today.
“By this dissolution you are to hand over all Government properties in your possession to the Head, Personnel Management,” the chairman stated.
Affected by the dismissal are:
Hon Adibor Igho – executive assistant to the chairman on legislative matters, Mr Frank Nujimen – chief strategist and Mr Ese Egigba – special adviser on education.
Others include: Miss Vivian Umukoro – SA, girl child, Florence Mujakperuo – SA , women mobilisation, Mebugbandu A. Etan – SA, youth mobilisation and Shine Omamogho – SA, youth mobilisation.
