The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised a “red alert” over an alleged plot by Governor Francis Nwifuru and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to frame, arrest and intimidate its members over alleged illegal procurement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The State Publicity Secretary and spokesperson of the party, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, disclosed this while reading a press briefing in Abakaliki on Wednesday.
Onwe alleged that the PDP had received “credible intelligence” of a fresh scheme to fabricate allegations of illegal PVC procurement against its members as a pretext to arrest and prosecute them ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the alleged move came months after Governor Nwifuru was reported to have vowed to “consume” the PDP and other opposition parties in the state.
The PDP spokesperson described the alleged development as politically motivated, insisting that the party remained committed to peaceful and lawful political activities.
“Our party is a law-abiding political organisation, and at no time has it contemplated, authorised, or condoned any conduct capable of violating the Electoral Act 2026, the guidelines of INEC, or any other extant law,” Onwe said.
He warned against any attempt to allegedly weaponise state security agencies to entrap, arrest or detain PDP members, saying such action would undermine constitutional rights and democratic freedoms.
The party consequently called on the National Security Adviser, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Inspector-General of Police, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Human Rights Commission and other relevant stakeholders to take note of the alleged threat and act proactively.
Onwe also recalled the recent attack on journalists covering a PDP event at Ikwuator, Idembia, in Ezza South Local Government Area, alleging that suspected political thugs attacked a vehicle conveying journalists from the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel.
According to him, about 10 journalists were targeted in the incident, while several PDP supporters were also injured.
The PDP said the incident, which was condemned by the Ebonyi State Council of the NUJ, reinforced the need for stronger protection of journalists, opposition politicians and other stakeholders participating in democratic activities.
Onwe said the PDP had consequently raised its internal security alert to “red”, placing its members, structures and stakeholders on high alert.
He added that the party would deploy all lawful, constitutional and diplomatic channels available to it should any of its members be targeted.
The PDP urged Governor Nwifuru and the APC leadership in the state to embrace issue-based politics and democratic engagement, rather than what it described as persecution of political opponents.
Reacting, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-party Affairs, Comrade Sunday Nwambam, dismissed the allegation as false and baseless.
Nwambam described the allegation as “the last kicks of a dying horse,” insisting that Governor Nwifuru remained committed to a multi-party democratic system.
He challenged the PDP to provide evidence to substantiate its claim, saying it could not usurp the responsibility of security agencies to investigate alleged offences.
“The allegation of plotting to frame up, arrest and detain some members of PDP over alleged dealing in Permanent Voters Cards or for any other reasons is false, misleading and baseless,” Nwambam said.
He further urged the Police and other security agencies to investigate the allegation and determine its veracity, while advising voters to safeguard their PVCs.
Nwambam also maintained that the governor was not opposed to citizens supporting candidates of their choice, arguing that the administration’s development projects would speak for themselves when the 2027 elections approach.
