BY JUDE OSSAI, ENUGU The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Enugu State Chapter has condemned in its entirety the recent attack on Imo State ADC flag-bearer for Federal House of Representatives, Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Hon. Nonso Nkwa, alleging that the attack might have been carried out by some political thugs in government cycle.
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu on Friday, the 2023 Enugu Gubernatorial Candidate of (ADC) Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena wondered if jurisprudence still exists in Nigeria?
Pastor Ozoemena noted, “An injury to one, affects many, attack on ADC Imo Federal House of Representatives Mbaitoli – Ikeduru Federal Constituency candidate, Nonso Nkwa by the Imo State Government under the watch of Governor Hope Uzodinma is a dead of democracy, if the Federal Government of Nigeria fails to intervene with immediate effect”
The Enugu ADC standard bearer further remarked, “The act is condemnable, it is uncalled for, to see ADC federal House of Representatives Imo State candidate Nonso Nkwa campaign billboards pulled down by suspected Imo state government thugs led by Governor Hope Uzodinma.
“The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) has lifted campaign ban, as a result, every political party is entitled to begin their Campaign across the Nigerian federation. No political party is exempted from participating in the nationwide ongoing 2023 campaign”, he said.
Pastor Ozoemena who was visibly angry, maintained, “This is not the 20th century where one’s rights can be taken in an exchange and he or she will sit idly. This attitudes of destroying ADC Federal House of representatives candidate, Nonso Nkwa campaign billboards by a suspected Imo state government thugs can draw mayhem”
His words:
“The Federal Government of Nigeria under the command of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari should call the government of Imo state to order to avoid anger of the youths”
“The Rights of every citizen of Nigeria to campaign is freely as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be respected. No one has the right to breach the law guiding principles of campaigning in Nigeria”.
“No one has the right to subdue other political parties candidates with power of incumbency. If you know you’re truly the choice of the masses then wait let the masses votes decide your fate come 2023 general elections in the polling centres.
“We kept on making it viral that the 2023 General election won’t be business as usual. It won’t be political party’s ideologies this time around. But a trusted and competent individual who understands the pains of the masses”
“Consequently, ADC will no longer accept any device of hostility or attacks on Nonso Nkwa or any member of ADC by political thugs of the government of Imo State or any state across the Nigerian federation”
“The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should do what is equitable by bringing the culprits including their cohorts to book”.
ENDS
