Group demands probe into assassination attempts on Ebonyi APGA guber candidate

The Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural In the Diaspora (AEISCID) has called on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to immediately probe the assassination attempt on the life of the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Prof. Benard Odoh.

Recall that Odoh’s convoy was attacked while returning from a campaign rally at Ezzaegu community, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state when it was ambushed by an unmarked Sienna bus stationed near the popular Rest House just before the Enugu/Abakaliki Federal Highway.

In the process, the governorship candidate lost his driver who was hit by bullets and the assailants also set ablaze the backup Toyota Hilux vehicle before making away with some valuables.

However, a statement issued Saturday by its President General, Pascal Oluchchukwu demanded immediate redeployment of the State’s Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba and also the disbandment of the Ebubeagu militia in the state.

The group said: “We at AEISCID vehemently condemn this dastardly and cowardly attack as one now too many. We consequently invite the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba to order an immediate probe of this attempt on the life of a frontline Governorship candidate like Odoh.”

It said this was about the seventh time they were reading about such unwarranted attacks on Odoh and his supporters.

It added: “We recall that his convoy was also fired at in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on October 20th last year by the same Ebubeagu militia. On 24th December, the party’s supporters were attacked by the same notorious Ebubeagu operatives at Ugwulangwu, Onicha Local Government Area of the State after a campaign visit to the area.”

While commiserating with Prof. Odoh and his APGA family, the group warned the state government to desist from desperate politicking capable of plunging the state into anarchy.

It said that democracy is and remains about the freedom of the people to make their choice of leaders through the ballot.

It noted that the will and choices of Ebonyi people must be respected and no candidate deserves to die or be killed just because he belongs to another political party.

It said: “While we formally call on the IGP to quickly order an unbiased and uncompromised probe into the attack, we demand the immediate redeployment of the State’s Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba and also the disbandment of the rampaging Ebubeagu militia which has since become a personal vendetta tool in the hands of Governor Umahi against his perceived opponents.”