...Reacts on disruption attempt against PDP zonal rally in Abakaliki
Senator representing Ebonyi North District in the National Assembly, Dr Sam Ominyi Egwu has called on Governor David Nweze Umahi to place a ban on political thuggery and inimical drive against the lawful activities of the opposition parties in Ebonyi State with immediate effect.
Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu.
Egwu made the call on Saturday at Anmegu in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the attempt by the suspected thugs allegedly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the PDP zonal rally in the area.
It was gathered that the said political thugs blocked the roads leading to the venue of the PDP rally with heavy stones, pieces of wood and tyres. 
The thugs blocked the roads in the company of the alleged armed Ebubeagu operatives; some of them were in branded APC Sienna cars and not allowing the PDP supporters to pass through the routes to their campaign venue on Saturday.
The blocking of the roads attracted the presence of the men of the Nigeria Police Force who were sighted at the spot.
Some security agents especially the policemen were gathered, waiting for an order before commencing the operation to guarantee free movement on the blocked roads.
But Senator Sam Egwu has expressed worry over the action and urged Governor David Umahi to use his good office to stop every unlawful action capable of impeding the democratic procedures and the Nigerian constitution in Ebonyi, as the citizens prepare to elect their political leaders for the next four years in the state and the country at large.
He commended the large turnout of the Abakaliki council people despite the attempt by his rivals to discourage them from attending the PDP zonal rally.
His words: "I thank the people of Abakaliki Local Government Area for this wonderful occasion despite every effort and threat by the opposition to disrupt this rally. I'm worried that this Ebonyi State, which God has helped us to grow, is currently witnessing tragic activities just because of political interest.
"I expect the governor (David Umahi) to allow the opposition parties to exercise their franchise. Don't allow your appointees to disrupt political campaigns and meetings in our place.
"You seize public facilities and demanded that the opposition parties should not use them for the campaign, why can't people be allowed to move freely for their lawful activities? People should be allowed to express their feelings even though they belong to different political parties.
"We are saying that you should vote for all PDP candidates in this state, but everybody doesn't need to vote for our party, even myself, because, it's a matter of choice and interest. People should be allowed to exercise their franchise not by forcing or intimidating them to act against their wishes.
"I'm pleading that we allow Ebonyi State to continue growing and even become better than the way it's today. Our democracy should be respected - our people should be allowed to exercise their franchise and this has been the position of the President of Nigeria.
"I think the governor (David Umahi) is a Christian who has been professing God's words. Why should our people's rights be worked against; just because of political interest? Did former Governor Martins Elechi block roads in 2015 when the present governor was campaigning for his election?"
Senator Egwu, however, urged his supporters to remain focused and not panic about the intimidation coming from his opponents, saying that with their courage and large turnout during the occasion, the victory of the PDP at the 2023 polls would be a landslide.
Other speakers including Senator Nguji Ngele, the chairman of the occasion and member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Chief Sylvester Ogbaga, PDP candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency - Barnabas Ofoke, Adaeze Nwuzor, Francis Alegu, Franka Okpo, Julius Ibere, James Onah, among others condemned the act by the alleged APC thugs and however, expressed enthusiasm about the PDP victory at the polls following its supporters' massive turnout despite the disruption attempt.
They reaffirmed their support for Senator Egwu and expressed optimism that his victory at the 2023 polls would facilitate his emergence as the next President of the Senate following his wide experience in the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly and general leadership dispositions as a two-term former governor and erstwhile minister in Nigeria.
Victor Nwegede
