The Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in the November 11 Imo state governorship election, Senator Athan Achonu, has accused Governor Hope Uzodinma of importing thugs from All Progressive Congress (APC) states to rig the forthcoming election.
Pointblanknews.com reports that Achonu alleged this while reacting to Uzodinma’s latest development of booking all hotels in the state capital, Owerri, ahead of the polls.
In a statement on Monday signed by Chibuikem Diala, Director, Media/ Publicity of the Senator Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation, the LP gubernatorial candidate described Uzodinma’s action as desperation and anti-democratic leadership style in a bid to win the election while wasting N5 billion of taxpayers’ money.
Achonu noted that the latest development has confirmed the widespread allegation that Uzodinma is already importing thugs from nearby APC states into the Imo State Capital ahead of the November 11 election to muzzle the opposition and rig the election.
He also wondered why the Governor wants to provide the accommodation for security personnel posted to oversee an election in which he is a contestant.
Achonu implores President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the Imo people and ensure that the right things are done regarding the November 11 Imo gubernatorial polls.
The statement reads, “As a campaign organisation, we are concerned that the state government through its ministry of tourism is requesting all hotels in the metropolis to reserve all their hotel rooms from November 4 to November 12.” What could be the reason behind this request for all the hotel rooms in Owerri metropolis?
“With over 1500 hotels in the metropolis and an average of 50 rooms per hotel, this means the prodigal state government is trying to rent and pay for a minimum of 7,000 rooms for eight nights in the metropolis, amounting to a staggering sum of about N5 billion. What a waste!
“The question that Imolites must ask Gov. Hope Uzodimma, as we approach the November 11 election is: Why do you want to spend 5B Naira of taxpayers’ money? Who are those that will occupy these hotel accommodations? Why this desperate, anti-democratic leadership style all in a bid to hold onto power? Must the blood of every Imolite flow because you want to be Governor for another four years? Why not subject yourself to a free and fair contest, at least for once, and allow the people’s wishes to thrive?
“The widespread allegation that the government is already importing thugs from nearby APC states into the Imo State Capital ahead of the November 11 election to muzzle the opposition and rig the election is no longer a secret. Could this bulk booking and blocking of rooms be to accommodate these political thugs?
“Why would Governor Uzodimma, a candidate of the APC, be the one to provide accommodation for security personnel posted to oversee an election in which he is also a candidate? Where is the fairness?
“We also call on the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, the DSS, and, indeed, all security agencies to be aware of the alleged plans likely to cause disharmony and a breakdown of law and order in the state.
“Above all, we implore President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the Imo people and listen to their cries. We believe the president will ensure that the right things are done.”
