By Peter Okolie
The Lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has decried the sealing of a venue chosen by his constituents for a civic reception in his honour.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security agents, including Police and Army, barricaded the entrance to Isiekenesi Primary School 11, Ideato South Local Government Area, the venue for the event.
Hundreds of his supporters and guests to the event, dressed in the Action People’s Party insignias, clutching party flags, had thronged the venue for the event.
They were, however, denied entrance by a joint team of security personnel from the Police and Nigerian Army.
Addressing the supporters at a different location, Ugochinyere described the action as an unwarranted in a democratic society.
He emphasised that the people of Ideato were simply exercising their “constitutional right” to receive their representative.
According to him, his coordinators received a midnight text message revoking the use of all public facilities.
He alleged that the measure was a deliberate attempt to stop the civic reception.
He said that the event was originally scheduled for Dec. 20 but later postponed to Tuesday.
“In spite of formal notifications, over 100 police personnel were sent from Owerri to block the venue.
He urged the State Government to focus on rebuilding social amenities for the people like primary schools, solar streetlights and health centres.
He said that most of the existing social amenities in the area were provided through his personal efforts.
“If you love my people, build the schools and fix the gully erosions,” he tasked the government.
Ugochinyere called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the activities of the Police Command in Imo to prevent a repeat of such illegal act.
He also sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, describing the current situation in Imo as a threat to the nation’s democracy.
He commended his supporters for their courage, strength, solidarity and resilience, in spite of the “unwarranted provocation”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Bonny Ebili, said the reception was about “Ugochinyere’s personality and not about any political party”.
Ebili cautioned against political crisis, saying “they only hinder the development of the community”.
Also speaking, Mr Prince Opara of the Ideato South Political Forum praised Ugochinyere’s legislative achievements.
Opara assured the lawmaker of full support for a potential 2027 re-election.
When contacted over the development, the Spokesman for the state Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said he was not “officially briefed” and therefore wasn’t aware of the role police played at the reception venue.
Okoye promised to revert to NAN after his enquiries on the issue. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
