By Amby Uneze
Less than two weeks gunmen attempted to kill the spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere, another deadly attack has been launched in his country home, Akokwa in Ideato North local government area of Imo State, this time killing about four people including his uncle and properties set ablaze by gunmen
Ugochinyere who is also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ideato federal Constituency had been having running battle with the Imo State government over his revelation that the governor, Hope Uzodimma was involved in padding the voter register in his community otherwise known as "Omuma magic."
Our correspondent gathered that no fewer than 30 campaign vehicles of the PDP candidate were burnt during the attack in his country home in Akokwa community.
According to information reaching our Correspondent in Owerri through a WhatsApp message, Ugochinyere called for help as his home was under siege.
He wrote, "Emergency. We need help to Akokwa. We are under attack.. My house in akokwa is under attack by gunmen. They have surrendered it and opened fire. We are under attack. Help help, please.
“We néed help… My uncle have been killed now.. They are setting everything on fire. Pz help.”
In a statement, the PDP in the state confirmed the attack on the country home of its candidate.
The statement which was issued by its punlicoty sectectary in the state, Collins Opuruozor read ” Imo PDP Alerts Security Agencies, Nigerians, International Community To Sponsored Killings, Arson Going On At the Akokwa Residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, PDP Candidate For Ideato Federal Constituency
“The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State alerts that, at the moment, there is a well-coordinated armed attack going on at the Akokwa residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the candidate of our Party for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
“This has resulted in the killing of undisclosed number of persons. Also, buildings are reported to have been set ablaze.
“Our efforts to get back to our candidate, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who was present at his residence when this attack began and who had personally alerted us to the attack, has proven abortive. However, a torrent of messages, a while ago, from Ikenga’s close aides bore some deeply pathetic lines like: “Everywhere is on fire! They are killing us! We are going going!”
“Imo PDP calls on security agencies to immediately intervene and quell the attack on our candidate and our Party members at his residence in Akokwa.
“Nigerians and the international community are to recall that on December 23, 2022, there was an attack on the convoy of our candidate by clearly-identified agents of the Imo State Government. It is shocking that despite our demand for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in that onslaught, nothing has been done by security till this moment.
“Today represents a dark day for us in Imo PDP and Imo State at large.”
Also condemning the attack, the Coalition of the South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) said the apex socio-political youth group in the South East geopolitical zone received with rude shock and alter dismay the attack and an assassination attempt by killers on the Spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, Barr. Ikenga Ugochinyere in Akokwa of Imo State wherein Ugochinyere's Uncle and two other persons were killed, houses and properties in his compound were burnt down by those assassins.
President general of the group, Mr. Goodluck Ibem said, "assassins came to assassinate the CUPP spokesperson but because of the stiff resistance by the security forces attached to him, they could not gain access to him but the ended up killing his Uncle, two persons and burnt down properties in his compound. This is the second time they are making attempt on his life.
"We condemn in strongest terms the assassination of these three persons who did nothing wrong to be sent to their early grave. When did participating in campaign and electoral process become a crime in Nigeria," he stated.
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