By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The Imo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for attributing the renewed gruesome attacks on notable leaders of the party and destruction of critical public infrastructure in the state to lack of leadership capacity of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
APC said it is dishonest, wicked and utterly mischievous for the PDP to attribute the incidents of insecurity in parts of Orlu senatorial zone of the state as a deliberate attempt to mislead the people, malign the person of the Governor and undermine the credibility of his administration.
Recall that the opposition PDP on Wednesday had taken a swipe at Gov Uzodimma’s Easter message, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to note and order an immediate investigation of Governor Uzodinma’s latest outbursts and threats against innocent citizens of Imo State and do the needful.
However, in its reaction to PDP through a release signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Cajetan Duke on Thursday, the APC said contrary to such ridiculous, pedestrian and kindergarten allegation, the leadership of PDP should hold themselves individually and collectively responsible for the unwarranted killings of innocent citizens and destruction of public and private properties in the state.
The party said “A party that for two years has sustained a deliberate campaign of calumny, incitement and destructive opposition against the government of the day, should not look for whom to blame when the result comes. Indeed, it is no longer news that what is happening in Imo today, has the tacit endorsement and signature of the opposition element in the state.
“Instead of looking for whom to blame, Imolites and all men of goodwill deserve an unreserved apology from PDP, and not its provocative, hypocritical grandstanding.
“As a party, we had expected the opposition PDP in Imo to exonerate themselves from obvious culpability in the ongoing security challenges in the state by joining hands with the state government to condemn the ugly trend, however, we are shocked over their unrepentant and unrelenting devious posture.”
The release further reads, “Nonetheless, we are delighted that Governor Hope Uzodimma to the admiration of patriotic men and women in the state irrespective of political inclination, has continued to demonstrate capacity, maturity and uncommon statecraft in the business of governance, and particularly, the fight against politically – sponsored insecurity in the state.
“While we continue to commiserate with the families of victims of insecurity, we pray to God for the restoration of peace and security in our dear state, Imo.”
