The Presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC held at the Umuahia Township Stadium in the state capital Tuesday, turned violent earlier in the day.
Members of the party who are believed to belong to the Orji Uzor Kalu faction of the party were seriously injured following an attack by suspected rival factions.
The suspected political thugs had attacked supporters of the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at the presidential campaign rally of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which held at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Casualties were recorded during the attack.
The supporters of the former Abia governor, the OUK Movement and Reality Organization had earlier in the day, dominated the presidential campaign rally ground at the stadium, singing APC victory songs.
“The jubilant supporters of Kalu were chanting the names of the APC candidates and fully dressed with materials bearing the face of the Abia North Senator.
“Stired by envy, the massive OUk support groups defied the attacks, and maintained their grounds during the rally”, an eye witness said.
An APC faithful who spoke on condition of anonymity fingered the supporters of the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Ikechi Emenike and the member representing Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha of being behind attack.
“Kalu’s supporters were attacked by supporters of Ikechi Emenike and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha when they arrived the stadium.
“They were obviously intimidated by the number of Kalu’s supporters. They got intimidated and sent their thugs after them. But as you can see, his supporters are returning back to the campaign venue”.
Meanwhile, a socio-political group, Abia Rebirth Initiative, ARI had cautioned the APC governorship candidate in Abia State, High Chief Ikechi Emenike against importing thugs from the neighbouring states to the venue of the rally.
The group had alleged that Emenike had concluded arrangements to bring thugs at the rally of APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to unleash mayhem on some political figures in the state and their supporters, warning that this will have a grave implication.
In a release on Tuesday, ARI through its National Coordinator, James Nwaokike said it has been at the forefront of advocating for a peaceful campaign in the state, warning political figures against reversing gains made in building and culture of peace and tolerance in the state.
The statement read in part, “We have it in good authority that High Chief Ikechi Emenike and his co-travellers have imported at least 1000 thugs from Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and parts of Akwa Ibom to storm the venue of campaign rally of APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Umuahia.
“Information available to us indicates that his prime target is the Chief Whip of the Senate and leader of APC in Abia State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and his supporters numbering more than 60,000, such as the Reality Organization, OUK Movement etc.
“High Chief Emenike has shown bitterness against his party leaders, though needlessly and unjustified. This latest attempt is in a bid to cause tension and avoidable chaos in a politically volatile environment like Abia.
“He wants to unleash his foot soldiers and imported thugs against Sen. Kalu and those loyal to him at the campaign rally. This is not in the interest of anyone and must be avoided”, ARI stated.
The group also called on the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala, the Director DSS and other relevant security agencies to swing into action and avert a possible bloodshed in Abia.
They also appealed to Sen. Orji Kalu to, as a matter of peace and stability of Abia state, stay away from the campaign venue along with his supporters.
ARI advised Kalu to however, continue canvassing for support for Tinubu but avoid the rally which they said has been populated by imported thugs whose aim is to unleash terror on innocent Abians.
Speaking later at the rally, the Deputy Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, alleged that a chieftain of the party was working against the party’s victory in the governorship and House of Representatives polls in Abia North.
The presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu, had assured the youths that his administration will make their education and wellbeing a priority, if elected, adding that the youths would play a key role in his administration and promised to make them job creators rather than job seekers.
“Youths and students, I promise you today, your frustration is over. None of you will spend eight years for a four-year course any longer.
“I’m greatly inspired, very encouraged, to thank you that the largest number of you are standing here since morning, this afternoon and you remain here.
“I tell you, four years is four years because my priority will be on education.”
He urged his supporters to get their PVCs, vote for all APC candidates and wait to defend their votes.
Tinubu used the opportunity to appeal to Dr. Sampson Ogah to withdraw his suit seeking the Court’s nullification of Chief Ikechi Emenike’s governorship candidacy in his favour.
“Come and see me, let us discuss our matter in our living room.”
The APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, represented by Chief Emma Eneukwu, the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), urged the people to vote APC at all levels.
He warned them not to repeat the mistakes of the past by voting for another party, stating “You don’t have to mix rice with beans”, that is voting for different parties at different levels.
In a speech after receiving the party flag, the party flag bearer in the state, Ikechi Emenike said “We must rescue it before we can develop it”, stating that as the governor of Abia State, tje problems of pensioners and workers will be a thing of the past.
He assured that he will run an all-inclusive administration as the state governor.
Earlier, the state Chairman of APC, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, said that the party would work assiduously for APC to get 100 per cent victory in Abia.
Unidentified voices werw accusing thugs from the camps of Chief Ikechi Emenike and Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha as being behind the attack.
The Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in the state for his Presidential Rally.
Recall that APC in Abia State is bitterly divided along several factions, a development that has left Abians confused about who its authentic candidates for elections in the state are as there have been several court pronouncements on the issue. This has further weakened APC’s chances in the state as Abians gear up for the 2023 general elections.
Group Cautions Ikechi Emenike Against Importation Of Thugs At Tinubu’s Campaign Rally In Umuahia
A socio-political group, Abia Rebirth Initiative, ARI has cautioned the APC governorship candidate in Abia State, High Chief Ikechi Emenike against importing thugs from the neighbouring states to the venue of the rally taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 24 in Umuahia.
The group said High Chief Emenike has concluded arrangements to bring thugs at the rally of APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to unleash mayhem on some political figures in the state and their supporters, warning that this will have a grave implication.
In a release on Tuesday, ARI through its National Coordinator, James Nwaokike said it has been at the forefront of advocating for a peaceful campaign in the state, warning political figures against reversing gains made in building and culture of peace and tolerance in the state.
The statement read in part, “We have it in good authority that High Chief Ikechi Emenike and his co-travellers have imported at least 1000 thugs from Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and parts of Akwa Ibom to storm the venue of campaign rally of APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Umuahia.
“Information available to us indicates that his prime target is the Chief Whip of the Senate and leader of APC in Abia State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and his supporters numbering more than 60,000, such as the Reality Organization, OUK Movement etc.
“High Chief Emenike has shown bitterness against his party leaders, though needlessly and unjustified. This latest attempt is in a bid to cause tension and avoidable chaos in a politically volatile environment like Abia.
“He wants to unleash his foot soldiers and imported thugs against Sen. Kalu and those loyal to him at the campaign rally. This is not in the interest of anyone and must be avoided”, ARI stated.
The group also called on the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala, the Director DSS and other relevant security agencies to swing into action and avert a possible bloodshed in Abia.
It also appealed to Sen. Orji Kalu to as a matter of peace and stability of Abia stay away from the campaign venue along with his supporters.
ARI instead advised Sen. Kalu to continue canvassing for support for Tinubu but avoid the rally which he said has been populated by imported thugs whose aim is to unleash terror on innocent Abians.
Meanwhile, the member representing Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has absorbed herself from the fracas, stating that she doesn’t subscribe to thug activities.
