A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Hon. Uchenna Onubogu, has accused Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP) and the state police command of orchestrating a campaign of harassment against APC members during the party’s ongoing nationwide membership registration exercise.
In a statement on Wednesday in Umuahia, Hon. Onubogu described the actions as a deliberate attempt to intimidate opposition members and stifle political pluralism in the state.
“I wonder why Governor Otti would resort to such low tactics of intimidation and harassment against innocent members of the APC in Abia State, especially at a time when democracy should be allowed to thrive,” he said.
The APC leader further alleged that the Abia State Police Command is colluding with the governor to undermine the party’s growth, claiming that arrests and disruptions during registration drives are politically motivated.
He directly linked these actions to a broader strategy aimed at frustrating President Bola Tinubu’s influence in the South East region, where the APC is seeking to expand its footprint ahead of future elections.
“Both Governor Otti and the police are clearly working hand-in-glove to frustrate the efforts of our dear President Bola Tinubu in Abia State. This is nothing short of political sabotage against the federal government,” Hon. Onubogu stated.
Hon. Onubogu praised key APC figures in the state for their swift interventions in securing the release of detained party members, highlighting their role in maintaining morale amid the challenges.
“I must commend leaders like Chief Ikechi Emenike and the state chairman of our great party, Chief Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, for their tireless efforts in securing the release of our party members who were unjustly arrested during this registration period in Abia,” he added.
He expressed sadness over the involvement of local government council chairmen in the harassment, accusing them of acting as extensions of the governor’s agenda.
“It is truly sad and undemocratic that the police, council chairmen across Abia, and Governor Otti himself would stoop to harassing our members simply because they are exercising their right to register with the APC,” the chieftain lamented.
Hon. Onubogu warned that such actions could erode public trust in the state’s institutions and called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter urgently.
“We cannot allow a governor to use state apparatus to wage war against opposition parties. This pits Governor Otti directly against President Tinubu’s vision for a united and progressive Nigeria,” he said.
He urged APC members to remain resolute, assuring them that the party would not be deterred from its goal of strengthening its base in Abia.
Reports from various local government areas, including Isialangwa North and South, Arochukwu, Bende, Ohafia, Umuahia South and Aba North, indicate sporadic incidents of disruptions during the e-registration exercise, with some members reportedly detained briefly before interventions.
Hon. Onubogu concluded by appealing to President Tinubu to intervene, saying, “Mr. President, your supporters in Abia are under siege from Governor Otti’s overreach. We need your support to ensure fair play”.
