Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi on Thursday alleged plans by some desperate politicians to import thugs to bomb some local government offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Umahi disclosed this during a live security situation briefing to the people of the state.
He said: “I have been told that there are plans to bomb lNEC local government offices.”
He said security agencies have been informed and have beefed up security in all INEC facilities in the state
The governor frowned at the outbreak of violence, characterised by burning houses and killings at Mkpuma Akpatakpa in Abaja community of Izzi local government area, promising that perpetrators would be fished out and brought to book.
He further condemned the attack on Ikwo local government area Vice Chairman, Mrs. Regina Iteshi who was attacked by hoodlums.
According to the governor, the thugs inserted objects into her private part and cut the tendons of some of the people with her.
He promised that the perpetrators must be punished.
“My major concern is that we have free and a fair election on Saturday. There were few things we noticed on 15th February that were not in the character of Ebonyi people.
“Inserting objects in the private parts of the vice chairman of Ikwo. Justice may be delayed but the law must take its full course.
“Yesterday, I visited Izzi and saw the faces of defenseless father and mother whose son was killed and their houses burnt down.
“All those who participated in the killing of the young man and burning of houses will never go scot-free.
“Politicians are behind the killings and burning down of houses. My promise to all the victims, the young man that was killed and six others injured, all those behind it must be brought to book.
“I appeal that there should be no reprisal attack. I have ordered that anybody that wants to kill our people should be shot at sight.
“People must be allowed to exercise their right and vote for whom they want to vote for. I promised that if there is no reprisal attack, after the election, I will start the process of building the burnt houses.
“Lives of Ebonyians are very important to us than positions and election. And anyone that takes the lives of others such will follow them to their fifth generation. Ebonyians must be alert and demobilize anybody that is parading thugs with police escort.
The governor also had some warnings for INEC officers in the state.
“Let me also warn INEC. I learnt that certain political party wants to cancel election. That they will go from polling booth to another killing people.
“If you are INEC worker, discharge your duty according to the electoral law. I have asked the youths and Ebonyians to resist any INEC officials that wants to compromise. I learnt that collation officers are meeting, saying they nominated this and that.”
