Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has debunked claims that it was aiding and abetting insecurity in the state.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Emenike Nmeregini, the party described the claims as erroneous, baseless and an attempt “to build trumped-up charges against the leaders of the major opposition party in the state.”
Imo PDP also accused agents of the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to intimidate, oppress and silence the party in the state.
The party also challenged those behind the reports to furnish Imo people with proof to substantiate their claims that its leaders were backing any group to unleash violence on Imo masses or were behind the scandalous jailbreak.
Failure to prove the claims, Imo PDP demanded a public apology from the accusers within one week.
“The attention of PDP in Imo has been drawn to two media reports captioned ‘Imo PDP Called to Order’ and ‘Uche Onyeagocha and Akwarandu should be held if anything happens to Imo Sons and Daughters’ credited to faceless groups and published on some social media platforms. We consider these reports largely frivolous, flippant and contemptuous.
“As a virile and credible opposition party, no amount of intimidation and repression can prevent Imo PDP and its leaders from pushing determinedly alternative views and holding the ruling government accountable to the people as provided by the law,” the statement partly reads.
The Global Association of Concerned Imo Youths (GACIY) had on Tuesday, through the leader, Collins Ughalaa, stated: “We resolutely condemn the false alarm raised by elements of Imo PDP, which threw Owerri into a stampede, mass hysteria and panic around midday on Monday, October 4, 2021.
“By spreading fake news that unknown gunmen had staged an attack in Owerri, the PDP put our innocent mothers, sons and daughters in harm’s way as each one scampered for dear life.
“In the name of opposition, the PDP charged the atmosphere, not minding the adverse effect on our people who are still healing from the trauma of recent security breaches in the state.”
