By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned in strong terms the utterances coming from what it described as "the "epileptic People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State' for supporting undemocratic tendencies leading to series of violent actions which resulted to the destruction of lives and property in some parts of the state.
PDP on Wednesday in Abakaliki, through its state Chairman, Prince Tochukwu Okorie, has issued a statement faulting the state government on its declaration of the former member House of Representatives, Mr Linus Okorie wanted due to his alleged incisive publication on Facebook.
Reacting, the Ebonyi APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha berated the PDP leadership for fanning the embers of war by allowing its members to be fueling crisis in the state.
Emegha explained that the State Governor, Engr David Umahi only directed the police and other security agencies to declare, Mr Linus Okorie wanted for for having made a malicious social media publication which led to loss of life and other valuables in Ikwo Local Government Area recently.
He said that the governor has not done anything bad to attract the accusing fingers of the Ebonyi PDP, adding that it is incumbent on him as the Chief Security of the State to devise lawful means to ensure peace in every part of the state.
"Remember that state Governors are the Chief Security Officers of their various states. On this premise, it is incumbent on them to devise lawful means in a very proactive and reasonable manner to ensure that the oath of securing the lives and property of their citizens he took is not in anyway jeopardised.
"When the former member who represented Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2019 at the National Assembly, Mr Linus Okorie made an inciting Facebook publication which constituted a security breach that led to loss of live among other valuables despite his supposedly enlightened position in the society. Do you expect the Governor to fold his arms and watch crisis engulf the state? Your guess is as good as mine in this scenario.
"The dying PDP should go and learn how to be in opposition, rather pose itself as a threat to our democracy which has endured. They should also understand that no one, no matter how highly placed, has immunity against violence. When it erupts, it consumes everything along its paths. They shouldn't throw caution to the wind," he said.
The State APC Chairman who is also the Special Security Consultant to Ebonyi State Government, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha reiterated the fact that fake news and hate speeches are worse than the unknown gunmen as they infuriate and spark up people to go into war against themselves for no justifiable reason.
He noted that the Ebonyi State Cybercrime law 2021 will not be a toothless bulldog while unscrupulous elements on rampage causing innocent and law abiding citizens unnecessary inconveniences under the present administration led by Governor David Umahi.
"I therefore, charge the ranting PDP to stay put and watch the law take its full course on the matter. No one should be afraid of the law because its implementation is aimed at bringing sanity to the entire society by assuaging defamatory publications," he said.
