From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The Labour Party Candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh popularly known as Immaculate has condemned in the strongest terms the destruction of his campaign billboards and posters in some parts of Ebonyi State.
This was contained in a press release issued and made available to the journalists by the Director, Media and Publicity of the Immaculate Grassroot Movement for the 2023 Election, Louis Nwebonyi on Thursday in Abakaliki.
Ezeh in the release said that the 2023 general election should not be considered as a war calculative agenda, warning those destroying his billboards to stop the vicious attitudes while canvassing to secure victory at the poll.
The Abakaliki/Izzi legislative candidate also described those who destroyed his billiards as being scared of the imminent Tsunamic win of Obidients in the state, particularly in his constituency in the forthcoming polls.
"Those destroying my billboards are afraid of the coming Tsunamic win of Obidients. It's an election coming and not war - let the intimidations stop in Ebonyi State," he hinted.
Dr Ezeh, an Oxford trained entrepreneur, explained that he joined the 2023 political race to take over the seat of the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency from the modest background just to continue touching humanity in mega style.
He further expressed dismay on how how his campaign billboards at Ishieke junction in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was destroyed and sliced into pieces by the suspected unscrupulous elements, opposing his 2023 bid.
The release read: "We have noticed with utmost dismay how the campaign billboard of Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh *(Immaculate)* at Ishieke junction was destroyed and sliced into pieces.
"Our posters have also been deliberately torn or defaced by these agents of darkness. This is the height of provocation and we can no longer keep silent.
"These actions are, to say the least, barbaric and the height of cowardice! They reaffirm the urgency of noblemen and women joining politics instead of leaving it for dregs, shenanigans and scallywags in society.
"We are however not too surprised, since it's only normal for darkness to tremble at the appearance of light.
"We can only wonder how exactly these senseless acts could translate to votes for anyone in the forthcoming election.
"Immaculate is a dazzling light, divinely appointed for a breath of fresh air in Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency and no amount of intimidation can stop him.
"It'd therefore serve the naysayers best if they begin now to absorb the shock of Dr Ezeh's landslide victory at the poll come February 2023. No man is God!
"Immaculate has been consistent with issue-based/violence-free campaigns and would resiliently continue on this path of honour until victory comes. Indeed, when they go low, we go high.
"Our politics of ideas, creative engagement and people-centric legislative agenda remain a clear departure from the prebendal politics of the past.
"We are by this press release calling on relevant security agencies to take notice of these unwarranted provocations and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
"We are not cowards. We are responsible citizens who are sensitive to the rights of others. Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh shall never give up his sanity to join anyone in the mud. But he would not also hesitate to use every legal means available to take on anyone who wouldn't allow him a breathing space."
He added: "The Ebonyi State Government (EBSG) must also ensure that the philosophy of "Egbe bere ka Ugo bere" is entrenched and upheld throughout the political season.
"It needs to also look at the economic implications of allowing a suppressed and suffocating sociopolitical space in which MSMEs in various sectors (such as food sellers, water vendors, graphic designers, printers, tailors, etc) are denied the benefit of increased economic activities that go with electioneering period.
"With Ebonyi State being the poverty capital of Southeast, EBSG must as a matter of urgency, take steps to free up the political space, such as is the case in neighbouring states like Cross River and Enugu. Let the tensions be doused and let people's hope rise."
He therefore, expressed strong conviction that nothing would truncate the victory of the people's cherished candidates to emerge in 2023 especially the Obidient candidates in Ebonyi State.
