Ebonyi PDP raises alarm over plot to set its Secretariat ablaze
Jscob Ogodo, Abakaliki
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Ebonyi state chapter has raised alarm over alleged plots by thugs, suspected to be loyal to the state government to set its Secretariat ablaze.
The caretaker committee chairman of PDP, Elder Fred Udeogu made the allegations while speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state.
He said: “We are not deterred by whatever. They are making threats that they will burn down the Secretariat of PDP, it is not reasonable. We know those who are planning it and we know their names. We know the people that slept behind the party Secretariat last night.
“Last night, Onyekachi Nwebonyi led a motley crowd and made a concerted effort to burn down the State Secretariat of the PDP in Abakaliki. If not for the prompt response of some of our members, the building would have been razed down by this morning. They were resisted and repelled effectively.
“Now that the Governor has resolved to using extreme measures in making his political point, his plans to throw the State into full scale crisis may soon happen, if the security agencies do not call him to order. This was how the Dave administration instigated the bout of violence between Ezza and Effium people, which led to unnecessarily loss of lives and properties.”
When contacted for reaction, factional Chairman of PDP, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi denied the allegation of conniving with thugs to set Secretariat ablaze, and claimed that, he is still in charge of PDP in the state.
According to him: “I want to answer this question by asking you a question. Who is that person that will burn down his own house? I am the authentic chairman of PDP in Ebonyi state.
“And I’m in my office and as I’m talking to you, I’m addressing you from my office. How can I set my own office ablaze? Is it thinkable that a man can set his own house ablaze? He should be the one, I’m suspecting to be nursing such idea. He cannot achieve that because I’m properly seated in my office. They security agencies are there to protect the office,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of Information and state orientation, Uchenna Orji said the governor David Umahi has no time to respond to such allegations.
“I think the man has issues and that’s not the actual way to do politics. It’s not by blackmail. We cannot join issues with him. He is behaving like a sinking man.
“ A party Secretariat that was built by the governor when he was a party chairman, which gave him the credential as the best chairman then.
“The party office that seems to be the biggest in Africa. And so, we looking for more development in Ebonyi state. We are not distracted. We have no time to really exchange words with him,” he added.
