Gov dismisses claim, says lawmakers are idle
Ebonyi state Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) caucus in the National Assembly, has accused the State Governor, David Umahi, of fueling series of violent attacks in the state .
This they alleged , is being done by the governor through indiscriminate arming of known cultists and agents against perceived political opponents in the state who rejected and refused to defect with him from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
But in a swift reaction, Governor Umahi faulted the legislators’ claims by accussing them of idleness which according to him, informed their vituperation.
Addressing newsmen Tuesday in Abuja on the deteriorating security situation in Ebonyi state, the caucus made up of PDP federal lawmakers which comprises of Senator Sam Egwu, Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator Michael Ama Nnachi, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku , Hon. Anayo Nwonu, Hon. Livinus Makwe, alleged that the state is awash with weapons allegedly supplied and distributed by the State Government, to persons who are undocumented, nor trained in weapons handling ostensibly for use against political opponents.
The legislators in a statement read on their behalf by the former Governor of the state, Senator Sam Egwu, also alleged that the state government has distributed dozens of guns, pump-action and AK-47 and ammunition across the state to individuals who are accountable to him.
The lawmakers said Governor Umahi decided to procure and distribute arms and ammunition to thugs, cultists and some of his appointees under the guise of vigilante/Ebube-agu to intimidate and stifle the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State.
According to them, It is for this reason that Ebonyi State has become the first and only state in the South East to inaugurate and arm the so-called Ebube-Agu.
They therefore called on the relevant security agencies to note that Umahi is misusing the Ebube Agu Security outfit to proliferate arms in Ebonyi State and his target is not criminals but political opponents.
The caucus said, ”As lawmakers and responsible citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are alarmed and concerned by the senseless killing of security personnel in the lawful discharge of their duties. This situation has been further compounded in Ebonyi State by the wide scale distribution of pump-action and AK-47 rifles and ammunition to young men throughout the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State by the State Government under the guise of vigilante/Ebubeagu.
” As it stands today in Ebonyi State, it is impossible to draw a line between the criminal activities of agents of the State Government, and that of other groups.
”As law abiding citizens, we have written to the Inspector General of Police and heads of relevant Security Agencies on the deteriorating security situation in Ebonyi State.
” In those petitions, we have documented violent attacks, attempted murder and murder of Ebonyi citizens by agents of the State Government, in the most recent past. Only last week, Governor Umahi organised what he termed Town Hall Security meetings at the State capital Abakaliki.
“However, in those meetings, the Governor merely used the platform to issue threats and incite violence and public hatred against PDP members of the National Assembly and other perceived political opponents.”
They pointedly accused the Commissioner of Police in the State , Mr Garba Aliyu, to be pliable in the hand of the Governor and thereby leaving law abiding citizens at the mercy of gun totting vigilantes/Ebube Agu.
They asked the Inspector General of Police to hold Governor Umahi directly responsible should any harm befall any member of the National Assembly.
”We have pictorial evidence of Development centre coordinators and his other staff clutching guns and other dangerous weapons. We also have audio evidence of the Governor’s younger brother, Mr Austine Umahi, addressing agents of the Ebonyi State Government on how to deploy their weapons on perceived political opponents.
”That every effort must be made by the relevant Security agencies to recover and mop up the arms and ammunition in Ebonyi State which Governor David Umahi has distributed to individuals who were neither trained nor documented as to keep track record of those in possession of firearms in Ebonyi State”, they said .
Dismissing the allegations , Governor Umahi who spoke through his Media Adviser , Frank Nweze , dismissed the allegations saying the are all false while asking the legislators to keep themselves busy with serious issues.
He said he will not be distracted from serious work he is doing in Ebonyi state.
Nweze, in a telephone conversation on Tuesday, said “The Governor is too busy to listen to gossips from people who are idle and want to distract him.
“The Governor is busy delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. He won’t have time for this. Their claims are false and what they’re alleging is not true.
