Five Persons Still Missing From Convoy Of Ebonyi APGA Governorship Candidate After Deadly Gunmen Attack

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in Ebonyi State has reacted to the attack on its governorship candidate.

APGA condemned the attack on its governorship candidate, Professor Bernard Odo on Thursday night in Ishielu local government area of the state.

A statement issued on Friday by the party’s publicity secretary, Hon. Nwanchor Nwanchor, said that five persons in the convoy of the party’s candidate were still missing after the gruesome attack that left his driver dead and two security details injured.

Accusing the operatives of Ebonyi State security outfit, Ebubeagu of being responsible for the attack, Nwanchor said the incident happened at Okpoto community.

The statement read in part, “This is among several attempts of the ruling APC government to suppress Ebonyi APGA whose message has penetrated every nook and cranny in Ebonyi State.

“Recall that Ebonyi APC masterminded the beating of APGA supporters in Afikpo North, Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara LGA and the destruction of vehicles during APGA campaign at Izzi LGA sometimes last year.

“In the face of such sordid act, they persisted in laying ambush, fired to kill the Guber Candidate but succeeded in killing the driver while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“It is now clear to everyone that the plan of the APC in the state is to use Ebebuagu militia to intimidate and destabilize the peaceful conduct of the election starting on the 25th February 2023.”

The statement added, “We seize this opportunity to call for the disbandment of Ebubeagu militia in Ebonyi State and alert security agencies, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director General of the Directorate of State Security Services and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to checkmate the evil machinations of the Ebubeagu militia whose planned destruction of lives and property may herald another round of bloodshed in the state as opposition parties will not fold their hands and watch members of Ebubeagu harm party supporters again were they are to protect the lives of Ebonyi Citizens but the ruling APC government in Ebonyi has employed them to intimidate and destruct the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election in Ebonyi.

“We wish to call on the APGA supporters in Ebonyi State to be committed, resilient, and never be distracted for we have made all the necessary plans and strategies to curtail this menace while we pray for the eternal rest of the deceased.”