PDP Plotting To Replicate Rivers Violence In Imo – Uzodinma’s Govt Alleges

The government of Imo State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to incite violence following the conduct of the state’s local government elections.

Governor Hope Uzodinma’s government emphasised that violence will not be tolerated within the state.

This caution was articulated by the State Commissioner for Information, Strategy, and Public Orientation, Declan Emelumba, during a response to the PDP’s remarks regarding the recent local government elections in the state, delivered in Owerri.

Emelumba expressed concern that the PDP appears to be attempting to replicate the recent violent incidents in Rivers State involving newly inaugurated local government chairmen and councillors.

“It was too much of a coincidence that just 24 hours after the Rivers violence, PDP, in a statement on Tuesday, warned elected local government chairmen in Imo state to steer clear of the council Secretariats in the 27 LGAs. The Commissioner argued that such a warning was ominous and portends danger, and therefore demanded the immediate attention of the security agencies,” the Imo State government warned.

It added: “While PDP was free to rant and accuse the State of all unimaginable and unsubstantiated financial crimes, the threat of violence was not going to be tolerated. It has been a while since the local government chairmen were sworn in after a successful election, and wondered why the PDP was threatening them just 24 hours after the violence in Rivers State.

“If you went through their incoherent and contradictory statement of Tuesday, October 8, 2024, you will come out with the impression that they want to employ self-help in addressing their colossal loss during the local government election. They said their candidates ought to be declared winners, and in the same breath, they alleged there was no election.”

The government refuted the claim made by the PDP that the elected chairpersons were compelled to submit their resignation letters should they not comply with the governor’s directives.

Additionally, the government criticized the PDP for asserting that Governor Hope Uzodimma had appropriated 50 per cent of local government funds to support the state electricity project, emphasizing that all financial dealings related to the project were conducted transparently.

Emelumba also described “PDP as a sore loser that was never prepared for the election; Emelumba urged it to approach the court for whatever remedy it seeks as advised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He warned them against resorting to any kind of violence against the chairmen and councillors who their people democratically elected in their respective local government areas.”