Posted by The Champion on
POPLES Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed deep concern over allegation by its former national chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh that his life is threatened.
POPLES Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed deep concern over allegation by its former national chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh that his life is threatened.
But legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), said the threat was real and called on acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Sunday Ehindero to immediately provide adequate security for the PDP chieftain.
Chief Ogbeh had on Tuesday, at a press briefing in Abuja, accused some members of master-minding the recent failed attempt on his life.
Said he: "I have heard rumours that some people in the system want me arrested. Maybe this is a private arrangement. I have no names but it's from the party."
Reacting to the allegation, however, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Mr. John Odey said "we are deeply concerned over the allegation, because he is a party member and we are concerned about his welfare."
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the national leadership of the party was unaware of any threats to Ogbeh's life.
Odey however, called on the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ehindero to properly investigate the matter.
Ogbeh had told journalists on Tuesday that some prominent persons were behind the two attempts on his life, a development he said, he had reported to both the IGP and President Olusegun Obasanjo.
"As a party, the PDP leadership is interested in the welfare of all citizens, including security and economic development of the country," Odeh said. According to him, the PDP is interested even in the internal wrangling of other political parties.
Also speaking to Daily Champion on the issue, Chief Fawehinmi said Ogbeh's allegation must be properly investigated considering several unresolved killings of former PDP chieftains in the past.
He cited the murder of Chiefs Harry Marshall and A.K. Dikibo both of whom were formerly National Vice chairman South South of the PDP.
According to Gani. "That the PDP is capable of snuffing out the life of any Nigerian is not in doubt because of the criminal characteristics of the party.
Therefore Chief Ogbeh deserves the protection of the police if the police can ever protect him."
When contacted on the issue, Force Public Relations Officers (FPRO) and a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haz Iwendi, said he was yet to "obtain official reaction on the matter."