The people of Isuokoma community in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi State have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene on the alleged threat to the life of their son, Ifeanyi Odii who is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the agents of the state government.
The people alleged that the life of Odii was under serious threat by agents of the Ebonyi State Government. The petition by the community was signed by Mr John Nnanna Njoku, president-general, Mr Sunday Igne, youth president, Chief Tony Anoke, diaspora leader, Chief Augustine Chigbo Okoro, coordinator of Isuokoma West Africa and Barrister Obasi Livinus Onu, Abakaliki branch chairman of Isu Okoma.
They called on Buhari, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS), Ebonyi State commissioner of police, Ebonyi State director of DSS and other security agencies to speedily come to their rescue “in order to save Chief Odii and the entire people of Isuokoma from the destructive tendencies of Governor Umahi.”
The petitioners said they viewed with much concern, trepidation and agony “the worrisome persistent unveiled verbal attacks and threats to the life of Chief Odii, by Governor Umahi.”
They alleged that Governor Umahi had in various forms and forums, glaringly demonstrated crass hatred and animosity against Odii following his aspiration and subsequent nomination as the PDP gubernatorial standard bearer in the 2023 governorship election in Ebonyi State.
“We had ignored and taken with a pinch of salt the unprovoked dehumanising jibes aimed at Dr. Odii by Engr. Umahi. We continually dismissed Governor Umahi’s aspersions on the personality of Chief Odii as the ranting and whining of an uncomfortable player in a tough contest.
“There is no doubt that the recent outburst of Governor Umahi against security chiefs and agencies in Ebonyi State, in which he threatened to block and attack the convoys of opposition candidates in the State, was clearly targeted at our son Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
“We are aware that Engr. Umahi has, in his characteristic uncivil manner, commanded the security agencies in the State to withdraw the security personnel attached to opposition candidates.
“We see this as the Governor’s desperate attempt to clear his way to have an easy ride to kill our son, High Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii. This latest show of acrimony jolted us to consciousness to give the Governor’s machination and treachery the deserved serious attention, consideration and publicity.
