The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the party’s new media director in Imo state, Mr. Ambrose Nwogwugwu, who was reportedly arrested by the Department of States Service (DSS), allegedly on the orders of Governor Hope Uzodimma, for no just cause.
Nwogwugwu was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly calling Governor Hope Uzodimma a ‘Supreme Court Governor’ on social media.
The party also condemned the current clampdown and brutalization of opposition members in Imo state by the Uzodimma-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which it said is now seeking to degrade democratic tenets, crush opposition and stifle all dissenting voices in the state.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan vehemently rejected the hounding of PDP members with state apparatus of power for expressing their constitutionally guaranteed liberty to hold opinion and convene legitimate meetings of our party
“Since Governor Uzodimma emerged governor through the Supreme Court, his government has been employing every method, including intimidation, in the bid to silence dissenting voices; a situation that betrays an administration overburdened by guilt and desperation for acceptance.
“The PDP condemns the brutality of one of our leaders in Ngor Okpala, Mr. Obinna Eke, who is now in the hospital, following an alleged attack by APC Interim Management Chairman in Ngor Okpala for convening a legitimate meeting of our party.
” This is in addition to a similar brutalization of our coordinator in Nguru Nweke, Aboh Mbaise, Mr. Chidi Ihedioha, who was reportedly locked up by the Police, allegedly on the orders on an APC House of Assembly member, also for convening a legitimate meeting of our party.
“Nigerians are currently in shock over the level of political intolerance being instituted by the Uzodimma administration for which the once productive and peaceful state is now being turned into a theatre of terror.
” The PDP urges Governor Uzodimma to pause and ponder on the collective voices, disposition and mood of the people of Imo state as embodied in persons like Ambrose Nwogwugwu, and accept the bitter truth.
” Governor Uzodimma should ask himself if he indeed became the governor through the ballot or through a flawed verdict of the Supreme Court as firmly established by Justice Centus Nweze, who also cautioned that the decision of the Supreme Court “will continue to haunt our electoral jurisprudence for a long time to come”.
“Though the PDP abides by the decision of the Supreme Court, it rejects this attempt by the APC administration in the state to stifle opposition in Imo state
” Nigerians now know who to hold responsible should any of our members becomes a victim of sudden disappearance, trumped up criminal charges, unexplained motor accident, assassination or attack by supposed armed robbers.
” Our party believes that those burdened with guilt should rather offer restitution instead of resorting to intimidation of innocent people”.
