Guber Candidate Berates Ebonyi Govt Over Intimidation, Suspension Of Traditional Rulers

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State, Prof. Bernard Odoh, yesterday accused the state government of harassing traditional ruler, elder statesmen and citizens who warmly welcomed the APGA team to their various communities.

Prof Odoh said according to information at his disposal, the state government had also suspended another traditional ruler in Ebonyi South for awarding a chieftaincy title to the APGA senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South, Chief Ifeanyi Eleje.

He noted that the campaign team also received information about a plot to launch coordinated attacks on some of the stakeholders, leaders and elder statesmen who welcomed the team in Afikpo North and Ivo local government areas.

The allegations which were contained in a statement signed by the special assistant, media and publicity to the governorship candidate, Mr. Chealse Out, said the harassment and attack were connected to the gains so far made by the APGA campaign team in its continued consultative visits to stakeholders, community leaders, traditional rulers and politicians across party lines.
“In the last few weeks and months, the Ebonyi State government we authoritatively gathered has re-enacted its anti-democratic posture by now resorting to threatening and harassing innocent elder statesmen and citizens who have warmly welcomed the APGA team to their various folds and communities.
“Already, we are aware of alleged threats by the governor through his surrogates to withdraw the staff of office and official vehicles allegedly dished out to two traditional rulers from Ebonyi South,” he said.
Mr Otu recalled that the latest plot came less than two weeks after almost all APGA billboards in the state were removed by agents suspected to be working for the state government.