Attan Achonu, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming poll in Imo state, alleged on Sunday that the police in the state obstructed his attendance at a church service in Owerri North Local Government Area.
He claimed the police, accompanied by alleged thugs, prevented him and his convoy from entering St Peters Anglican church in Obibiezena community, where he was invited to the synod.
According to Achonu, the police cited the presence of the state governor and APC candidate, Hope Uzodimma, as the reason for denying him access. He asserted his right to worship and questioned the obstruction but was met with an attack by the police and thugs, resulting in damage to his convoy.
He said, “Today I was attacked by policemen together with thugs working for the APC. Myself and my supporters were attacked and gun shot at us. We were at St Peter’s Anglican church at Obibiezena in Owerri North to attend a church service.
“I was dully invited by the church to attend its synod but policemen stationed Amoured Personnel Carriers and thugs. They said I was not going to be allowed to enter the church. That the governor was worshipping there.
“I confronted them and asked them why should I be stopped from worshipping God in my own state simply because the governor is there. I called the Director of the DSS who called the state Commissioner of Police who spoke to one officer who literally disobeyed the Commissioner of Police.
” I confronted them but my wife held me and I was with women , I had to obey her. We turned our vehicles and went home. They attacked my vehicle and shot them. If not that my cars are bullet proof, there would had been casualties”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the police command, Henry Okoye, denied that the candidate was attacked.
He said policemen only advised him not to campaign in the area at the same time since the candidate of the APC was campaigning in the area.
The police spokesperson said, “Nobody attacked the Labour Party candidate. We only advised him not to campaign in the area the same time the APC candidate was campaigning in the area to avoid clash of interest and possible breakdown of law and order in the state.
“The Labour Party candidate didn’t inform us about his campaign in the area but the APC candidate informed us and we were there to provide security. The Commissioner of Police advises political players in the state to stop misinforming the public. These misinformation are capable of escalating things which may lead to breakdown of law and order in Imo state.”
The spokesperson for the APC in the state, Cajetan Duke, said the LP candidate was misleading the public because he had seen that the APC would sweep the poll on November 11.
He said the APC is not deterred by the distractions of the opposition parties as it will continue to campaign in all parts of the state till the last day for campaign as approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
