The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has urged his supporters to resist all forms of arrest and intimidation from the opposition at all levels prior to or during the forthcoming national elections.
The statement was a reaction to feelers that the major opposition All Progressives Congress has hatched plans to employ mass arrest and intimidation to cow the Peoples Democratic Party supporters in the state, especially in Ikwo and Izzi Local Government Areas, using security agencies.
Addressing party supporters at Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area headquarters during his campaign flag-off in the area on Tuesday, Umahi, who is also the PDP candidate for the March 2 gubernatorial election, described such move by the opposition as shameful and totally unwarranted.
He noted that the use of security agencies backed by the so called “federal might” to harass innocent citizens under frivolous petitions tantamount to injustice and electoral fraud, which should be vehemently resisted at all cost.
He further warned the opposition APC never to contemplate rigging the forthcoming elections, stressing: “If you rig, you rig yourself out of this world.”
Umahi cautioned his party members and supporters to be law abiding and eschew all forms of violence against other parties even as they strongly oppose such unwarranted arrest.
He expressed dissatisfaction that about 199,000 Permanent Voter Cards remained uncollected in the State and called on the stakeholders to intensify sensitization in that regard to ensure that all eligible voters were not shortchanged.
Umahi said: “It is very sad that we have 199, 000 PVCs unclaimed…
“Do you want them to be in the hands of our enemies?
“Be wise.
“Now you see that Ogbuorji and his cohorts are not campaigning.
“They are busy writing petitions to come and start arresting people in Ikwo, Izzi.
“Listen to me very very well, and I am happy that the security agencies are here and they should report what I am saying.
“Number one, you must be very very law abiding: tear no poster, no violence; do not do any cultism.
“But on trumped up charges, frivolous petitions that come from Abuja, resist arrest.
“Resist all unwarranted arrests.
“I am the Governor and the chief security officer of this state telling you this.
“Block all the roads, get all the boys for we must fight injustice in Nigeria.
“Enough is enough.
“We must take our destiny in our hands.
“Those who say they are going to rig the elections 1with security agencies, shame unto them.
“Even if it means breaking the bridges, break it and I will rebuild it…”
Re-emphasizing his love for the Ezza people, Umahi pledged to double his developmental projects in the area and urged the people to cast all their votes to Atiku Abubarkar for president, to himself as governor and all PDP members for National and State Assembly.
In their goodwill messages, the party stakeholders, including the South East Zonal Chairman, Austin Umahi; the State PDP Chairman, Onyekachi Nwebonyi; the Ezza South Council Chairman, Sunday Ogodo; as well as other political representatives of the people at the State and National levels pledged that the people would cast their 100 per cent vote for Umahi and all PDP candidates.
According to Nwebonyi, Umahi has proven to be a good leader in all ramifications, having fulfilled his electoral promises and therefore, deserving an unhindered return to continue his good works in the State.