Opposition importing arms for elections, Umahi alleges

The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi has accused a major opposition party in the state of stock-piling arms and other dangerous weapons aimed at using it to attack and intimidate members of the ruling People Democratic Party during the 2019 governorship election.

Governor Umahi who expressed the worry during his campaign tour to Ivo Local Government Area of the state said that rather than campaigning and present their manifesto to the electorates, the opposition party were busy stockpiling illegal arms and dangerous weapons that they intend to use to cause mayhem and scare away voters during the election in the state.

Governor Umahi who insisted that the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Sonni Ogbuorji is not prepared for the election but is relying on federal might to rig the election in his favour, condemned the destruction of posters and billboards of PDP candidates by thugs suspected to be members of the APC. According to him; “let me warn the APC gubernatorial candidate that any danger to the life of each Ebonyi man will spell danger to his own life.

I have never asked anybody to purchase gun to participate in violence or to purchase knife or anything”. “We have always said that God is our strength so there will be no violence.” Meanwhile, Governor Umahi also pleaded with the leadership of the PDP to allow him send 2000 PDP members to receive the President during his campaign rally in the state next week Wednesday. Governor Umahi who described the President as the leader of the country noted that it would be embarrassing for the President to visit the state and meet empty stadium adding that he has chosen to mobilize the 2000 PDP supporters as a mark of respect to Mr. President. Umahi who made this known at Ugbodo, the council headquarters of Ebonyi Local Government Area also announced that PDP would shift its rally to the three Senatorial zones to allow Mr President to use the newly reconstructed Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium.

The governor said he has identified the 2000 persons that would be at the stadium to receive the President and urged the PDP members not to feel bad about it. “On Wednesday, Mr. President is coming to Ebonyi, we shall accord him all necessary courstesy as a President and our friend. To honour him, we will shift our rallies to three Senatorial zones to do our rallies and allow them stadium to use,” he said.