The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has accused the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led Abia State Government of using the Police to intimidate and harass opposition.
Spokesman of the state chapter of the party, Ferdinand Ekeoma said state government used police officers from the state Command to prevent its members from holding a prayer session scheduled to appreciate God for the victory of Dr Alex Otti at Court of Appeal.
According to Ekeoma, the event which was scheduled to hold on Monday at the Aba Recreation Club could not hold because the management of the facility had to return the money paid, claiming they got a ‘marching order from above’ not to allow the programme to go on.
Ekoema said, “We had earlier concluded plans to hold the prayer session inside the sprawling compound of the club but the management called us last night to come and take our money. They said that they got threat calls not to allow the party to hold any event in the club or the place would be burned down.’’
The party’s spokesman said heavily armed mobile policemen as early as 7 am on Monday, took over the place with Armoured Personnel Carrier, positioned in front of the club.
“We were also told that some boys armed with machete came in a group to the club, threatening to deal with anybody that would hold any event in the club,’’ he said.
He further added that the organisers later moved the event to the Hotel De La Paire in Aba, the state capital. He disclosed that the planned prayer was thereafter aborted as the management of the hotel claimed that they also received threat calls from unknown government officials, warning them not to allow the party hold any event in the hotel.
He said, “we were surprised to find out when we came that the gate to the place prepared for us was locked. A management staff specifically told us that we could no longer hold our prayer in the place because they received threats that the hotel would be burned down if we are allowed to meet there.”
Ekeoma, however, accused the state government of ‘’being petty.’’
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