The PDP under the capacity, mentorship and leadership of High Chief Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is gradually unsettling the political strategy, influence, momentum and landscape of the APC as a Party.
The APC is now jittery over the defection move by some of its members to the fold of the PDP in the State .This grandiloquent trend has shown that the Governorship candidate of the PDP is a political force to be reckoned with, not minding the disposition of APC in the State.
Over the weekend, the defection of Barr Ifeanyi Nworie, who is a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area, to the fold of the opposition PDP was disrupted by political thugs allegedly loyal to the APC in the State.
This is even as journalists invited to cover rhe official ceremony organized by Barr Ifeanyi Nworie, were allegedly attacked and forced to scamper for safety.
This ugly trend, does not in anyway portray a good image of the ruling APC, because every citizen of the State has the inalienable right to freedom of Association.
Following this ugly episode, which is somewhat characteristical of the APC, it's now clear that in Ebonyi State freedom of Association and the safety of Journalists are battling for survival, which is not a good omen in a democratic dispensation.
A review and preview of the development x-rayed the fact that democracy is under threat as it calls for the urgent attention of Human Rights Organisations, the Federal Government, Nigeria Press Council, NPC, among others, including security agencies.
According to the Ebonyi State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, eight persons were last Saturday, 1st of August 2026, wounded and are currently hospitalized following the attack of its members at Idembia in Ezza South Local Government Area of the State by political thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State.
The Party alleged that vehicles were vandalized, houses looted and motorcycles carted away by the political thugs led by one Barr. Friday Agbom as it's Party members, other villagers and Journalists were also assaulted with dangerous weapons, which left the eight persons currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Addressing Journalists in Abakaliki, the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Chukwuma Igwe explained that the thugs were led by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Lazarus Ogbee, and other senior officials of the State Government, which includes, Barr. Friday Agbom, Uchenna Otuh among others.
He commended journalists in the State for living up to their constitutional responsibility of informing the general public of developments within their jurisdiction.
"We have called you here to address the unfortunate and unwarranted attacks on members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm by agents and appointees of the APC-led Ebonyi State Government.
"Recall that in the last few weeks, supporters and members of the PDP have faced threats from the same agents of the Ebonyi State Government. We heard that these anti-democratic forces attacked journalists who were merely carrying out their legitimate constitutional duties.
"The journalists had been invited to cover an official ceremony organized by Barr Ifeanyi Nworie, who is a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area. Barr Nworie announced his resignation from the APC and his intention to join the People's Democratic Party, PDP." He noted
According to Mr. Igwe, the purpose of the media interaction was intended to draw the attention of Nigeria and Nigerians to the undemocratic action deliberately orchestrated to undermine the conduct of the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State.
He called on all Security Agencies in the country to uphold their constitutional responsibility of protecting all Nigerians and ensuring that every citizen of Ebonyi State is free to exercise his or her Civic Responsibilities, in accordance with the Constitution, including the rights to Freedom of Association and political participation.
He maintained that the PDP in the State will not be intimidated by undemocratic forces, irrespective of who may be behind them.
"As political activities commence in the coming days, we urge our members to remain peaceful and law-abiding. We also call on the Ebonyi State Government to play by the rules of democracy, bearing in mind that no one has the monopoly of violence or misconduct.
"We further urge all security agencies to remain impartial in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, in the interest of democracy and justice." He explained.
The Party called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Armed Forces, and all other relevant security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and political activities throughout Ebonyi State.
"We call on our supporters to remain vigilant and also want to assure them that the Party remains committed to ensuring that every member of the PDP in Ebonyi State enjoys the full protection of the law.
"We cannot be cowed, and we are not cowards. The PDP believes that the Ebonyi State Government is concerned by what it sees as the growing support of the people for our governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii (AnyiChuks), whom we describe as a man of peace and a leader who has committed significant personal resources to the development and well-being of the people of Ebonyi State.
"Ebonyi State belongs to all Ebonyians, and every eligible citizen has the constitutional right to freely express his or her political preference without fear of intimidation, harassment, or molestation.
"We state clearly that the PDP in Ebonyi State is prepared to pursue every constitutional and lawful means to ensure that the rights and safety of our members are protected". He added
The State Party Chairman expressed the confidence that the 2027 general elections must be decided on the basis of merit, service to the people, and the freely expressed will of the people of the State.
The political event was originally scheduled to take place at a roadside village square in the community, but the thugs stormed the venue and disrupted it.
Following the ugly scenario, Nworie decided to relocate the gathering to his private compound in the area, while the attackers traced the attendees to the location and inflicted serious bodily harm on them.
Plastic chairs, canopies, public address system and other valuable properties were destroyed by the attackers
Reacting to the allegation by the PDP that APC was responsible for the attack on Journalists and PDP members, the Chairman of the APC in the State, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha explained that those who are not comfortable with the political behaviour of Ifeanyi Nworie, may have been responsible for the attack and not the APC
It is important to state that the APC is already jittery of what the PDP is going to accomplish before, during and after the 2027 governorship election.
The PDP in Ebonyi State remains a formidable force, a political umbrella for all and sundry and a home to all those who wish to decamp from the ruling APC to the opposition PDP.
The capacity, political ingenuity and resoluteness of the PDP Governorship candidate, High Chief Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, ahead of the 2027 general election has brought to the front burner, doubts as to whether the APC will be able to retain power come 2027 governorship election.
A cross section of political analysts who condemned the attack meted out on PDP supporters and practicing Journalists in Ebonyi State by thugs allegedly loyal to the ruling APC stressed that democracy was already under serious attack in the State.
They called on well meaning Ebonyi citizens to vote for merit, capacity and the protection of their interest, rather than clannish politics based on faulty emotional sentiments.
According to them, you cannot intimidate and harass citizens of Ebonyi State and expect them to support for you. If you are really sure of yourself and that the vote of the people will count during the forthcoming general, why then must you fight against their right to Freedom of Association and political participation?
"Politics is all about being able to convince people to support or vote for you. The people have the inalienable right to vote for any candidate of their choice. This is democracy and if you know that the people don't want you, do more campaigns rather than cause violence.
"A good Democrat is close to his people and his people love him. He doesn't employ the tool of intimidation and violence in order to get their support. People should avoid violence for a betterment democracy."
Meanwhile, following the humane disposition of High Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii of the PDP, it is obvious that he will apparently take care of the welfare of Journalists and the citizens of the State, if he wins the 2027 governorship election.
His empowerment drive and agenda for Ebonyi people prior to this time and even recently, has been holistic, people-oriented and devoid of any clannish sentiments and political undertone.
Being a detribalized individual, he has built houses for widows, less privileged individuals and the poor in different senatorial districts of the State, including Ebonyi North Zone.
He has equally sponsored alot of Ebonyi youths across the State in the area of education and skill acquisition.
Odii has spoken in various fora that his administration will be Press-friendly, press-relevant and press-available for the betterment of Journalists and the entire people of the State.
"My government will not threaten Journalists or make citizens unsafe in Ebonyi State. Ebonyi State belongs to all of us and nobody should be relegated to the background. The responsibility of every responsible government is to ensure the safety of lives and property". He emphasized.
The PDP is rock solid, determined, focused, prepared and not willing to leave any stone unturned, until it clinches power come 2027 general election.
Unarguably ,with the personality profile, political antecedents, and the growing wave of support building up for the PDP Governorship candidate, High Chief Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, in different parts of the State, many believe that the PDP has the momentum to prosecute its 2027 gubernatorial election with ease and backing of key stakeholders in the State.
The PDP Governorship candidate for the 2027 general election, High Chief Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is a moving train with a strategic intention, economic agenda for the prosperity of Ebonyi State and a vote for him, is a vote for the actualization of the dreams of Ebonyi 's founding fathers.
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