A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Julius Oji (aka Ochiri Edda), has asked the Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi to stop making inciting statements about the people of Edda clan in the Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.
According to Oji, who is one of the conveners of Edda Identity, a socio-cultural group in the area, Umahi’s recent utterances were capable of provoking intra-communal war among the people, saying the clan felt threatened.
Umahi had, on Wednesday, at a public event in the state, among other things, said the people of Edda “didn’t do well” in the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections and challenged them to do “whatever” they could to ensure his ruling All Progressives Congress wins the forthcoming governorship poll on March 18.
But the PDP stalwart in a statement, on Thursday, said the governor had no right to force residents of the area to vote against their will on March 18, saying Umahi wasted the years he governed the state.
The statement read, “Our people have been in perpetual pain since you assumed office as Ebonyi State Governor in the last seven years and 10 months.
“Under your watch as the Chief Security Officer, there have been a lot of killings, intimidation, violence, bloodshed and all manner of crises in Ebonyi State.
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“The most recent killings in Ekoli Edda community on the 26th December, 2022, one thought could humble you, yet you came to Edda, on Wednesday, threatening violence.
“We have had enough of these unwanted killings, intimidation, bloodshed and we can’t keep quiet any longer. Allow Edda people to choose whosoever they have confidence in to govern and represent them.
“Edda people are known warriors and cannot be cajoled or subjected to any form of intimidation or oppression to influence their choice or change their mandate in the coming election, on Saturday.
“Go to your hometown of Uburu and choose for them. We heard in the last elections of February 25 that you lost woefully but resorted to violence just to win. Our people will resist all your antics to ensure that the choices of the people emerge victorious.
“Our people have spoken. They have rejected you, your party and whatever you stand for. Ebonyians have never had it this bad before you came as governor. Under your watch, Ebonyians have experienced all manner of killings, intimidation, bloodshed, and calamities yet you stood on the podium to call on God, which is aimed at confusing and deceiving our people.
“Our people yearn for good governance, yet you stood against them just to keep them in perpetual pain.
“Edda people and I have listened to your video outburst and threats to my person and life. I’m using this medium to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the State Security Services and other security agencies to the threats outburst and inciting statements of Governor David Umahi, about Edda people.”
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