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Police invitation: Call Imo CP to order, group charges IGP

David Adenekan
David Adenekan
IGP Usman Baba

The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has been urged to call the Commissioner of Police in Imo State to order following his command’s invitation to the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and former governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

Also said to have been invited in the letter signed by DCP Ukachi P. Opara are a House of Representatives member- elect, Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo and former deputy governor of the state, Gerald Irona.

The call to the IGP was made by a group which identified itself as Concerned CSOS and NGOs for Good Governance.

In a statement signed by Dr Chike Ogbonnaya, the group said the invitation was suspect, particularly coming a few days to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

The statement by the group reads in part:

“Without prejudice to the right of the police to do its work we wish to state as follows.

“1. The invitation of the said persons to appear before the police two days before the scheduled House of Assembly elections appears to be a calculated attempt to stop them from participating actively in the preparations for Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

“2. We find it curious that this said invitation was not extended to them before now.

“3. We have taken notice that one of the said invitees, Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, has been having running battles with the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and his government agents for some time now. Ugochinyere in the past had accused the governor and his agents of being involved in what has now come to be known as ”Omuma Magic” which is a strategy designed to rig elections. But of more concern to us was the killing of the Uncle of Ugochinyere and the burning of houses and cars in his Akokwa village, Imo state residence of which he accused the state governor and his agents as being responsible a few weeks ago.

“4. We are aware that in over twenty years of his career, Emeka Ihedioha and Gerald Irona have never been involved in any acts of violence. Both have been known to be peace loving and responsible citizens.

“5. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, we hereby wish to state as follows:

“(a) We call on the Commissioner of Police of Imo State to withdraw the letter of invitation as it appears to have a political coloration and to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“(b) We call on the Inspector General of Police to call the Commissioner of Police, Imo state Command to order.

“(c) We call on the National Security Adviser to intervene in the matter to provide a level playing field for all the political parties in the Saturday elections and to ensure free and fair elections.

“(d) We call on peace loving people of Imo State to maintain the peace while these issues are being resolved.”

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