RAYMOND OZOJI reports
The Labour Party in Anambra state says the Agunechemba Operation Udo Ga Chi Security Service is now a campaign tool for Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo's second term reelection.
The party which condemned what it saw as the unlawful arrest and detention of its chairman in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, one Charles Nwazojie, on the alleged orders of operatives of Agunechemba security outfit, noted that the security outfit is now a political tool established by the APGA-led state government to silence every opposition in the forthcoming governorship election.
The party, through George Moghalu Campaign Organization said Nwazojie's offence was encouraging citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and mobilizing support for the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the November 8th Anambra governorship election Dr. George Moghalu.
A statement signed by Onyebuchi Okoye, the Special Assistant on Media to Moghalu described the incident as brazen act of political intimidation, tyranny and a calculated attempt to suppress oppositions in the state.
The party however called for Commissioner of Police intervention by ordering Nwazojie's immediate and unconditional release from illegal detention.
The party also demanded full investigation into the illegal arrest to ensure the security outfit was not being converted into political tool for intimidations and harassment of law-abiding citizens carrying out their civic responsibilities in the ongoing continuous voters registration exercise preparatory to the November 8th governorship polls in the state.
The party further urged civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, political stakeholders and the international community to condemn what it mentioned as creeping tyranny, following the way and manner in which the Agunechemba vigilante operatives operated in the state.
Okoye's statement reads, "For fulfilling this basic civic duty, he was arrested, taken to Abagana Police Station, and unjustly detained, reportedly on the orders of operatives associated with the Agunechemba (Udo Ga Chi) security outfit.
"It is important to state clearly that the Labour Party paid the exorbitant sum of ₦50 million to the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) to meet all campaign publicity requirements.
"Therefore, there is no legal or moral basis for Hon. Nwazojie’s arrest and detention unless the true motive is to intimidate supporters and silence opposition voices through a state-sponsored outfit.
"This brazen act of political intimidation is not only shameful. It represents a dangerous slide into lawlessness and a calculated assault on democratic principles.
"At a time when insecurity continues to plague our communities, it is appalling that security agents are being used to target peaceful citizens for exercising their democratic rights.
"The Udo Ga Chi outfit, introduced barely a year before the election under the guise of protecting communities, is now being weaponized as a partisan militia used to suppress dissent, stifle political participation.
"The outfit is also deployed to instill fear among the electorate. This misuse of power must be resisted by all lovers of democracy.
"We call on the Commissioner of Police to intervene without delay by ordering the immediate and unconditional release of Hon. Charles Nwazojie and to commence a full investigation to ensure that this security outfit is not being converted into a political tool.
"We also urge civil society organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, and the international community to speak out against this creeping tyranny. Silence now will only embolden the forces of repression.
"Freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and political participation are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. No government or security agency has the authority to suppress them.
"Let it be known. Dr. George Moghalu and Mrs. Ifeoma Okaro stand firmly with the people of Anambra especially those who yearn for a future rooted in justice, dignity, and the rule of law. Their campaign is built on hope, not fear, on service, not oppression."
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