APC, APGA Bicker Over Insecurity In Anambra

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA in Anambra state of sponsoring the insecurity in the state.

The opposition party alleged that the ruling party has been intimidating and frustrating them ahead of the November 6, governorship elections.

But APGA has denied the allegation, saying it would not sponsor or encourage politically-motivated killing.

The allegation came after the killing of the former traditional ruler of Mkpunando, in Aguleri, Anambra East local government area of Anambra State, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, and his driver, identified as Chukwuemeka.

During an interactive session with journalists in Awka, Anambra state capital, on Sunday, state chairman of APC, Chief Basil Ejifike, and Director General of Andy Uba Campaign Council, Mr Paul Chukwuma, said the murder of former Igwe Alex Edozieuno was political motivated and designed to intimidate APC.

They said the the former Igwe Edozieuno, last month joined the party and since then he has been a trusted party member.

The party also alleged that APC chieftains in the state have been receiving threats.

Ejidike said last Friday was the darkest day in the political history of Anambra and urged the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in the state to ensure that the killers Edozieuno are brought to justice.

“Igwe Alex Edozieuno, was murdered in cold blood within his community along with his driver. The same Igwe was suspended along with other traditional rulers in the state last year for one year. He was the only one dethroned and replaced by the government before the expiration of the suspension date.”

“The former Igwe barely a month joined the APC family in Anambra, since then he has remained one of the trusted persons in the party. The killing was political motivated, no doubt. To ensure that such does not take place again in the state, we call on the police commissioner, Director of DSS to swing into action immediately and unravel the circumstance leading to the killing.

“Anambra has not experienced political killing until this time, members of APC in the state have been receiving threats from the government of Anambra state.”

He said they are praying for Anambra not to slide back into its bad years.

However, the APGA, in reaction to the allegations, denied the killing of the traditional ruler and threatening any member of APC in the state.

The state ruling party through the Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C.Don Adinuba, said it was ridiculous for APC to say APGA was involved in the death of the former traditional ruler in the state.

“How can they say the APGA is threatening them? They think that all people are like them?. Violence is in their DNAs , let them go to the police or DSS to lay their complaints with proves , rather than heating up the Anambra polity” he said.

According to him, the Igwe has no political relevance in the state and wondered why APC would associate APGA with killings and threat to lives.

Reacting to the threat and murder as political motivated , the Anambra state police spokesman, Mr. Ikenga Tochukwu, said he was not aware of any threat to any politician or any politically motivated killing in the state.

“I don’t have any information on that please. Meanwhile, the command receives all complaints, treat and investigate accordingly,” he said.