The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the November 11 governorship election in Imo, Senator Athan Achonu, has accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of ordering the Police to open fire on his convoy.
Achonu said the incident happened while on his way to church in the Owerri North Local Government Area of the state on Sunday, to attend its synod, having received an invitation from St Peter’s Anglican Church in Obibiezena community.
According to the politician, he, alongside his convoy were prevented from gaining access to the church premises by some police officers with thugs.
Achonu noted that the policemen said he won’t be allowed into the church premises.
He said the officers, while stating why he could not enter said the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, was at the church service.
He said the policemen, led by the commander of the Tiger base unit of the state police command, refused to allow him in even after the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Berde, spoke to him on the phone.
Achonu said, “Today, I was attacked by policemen together with thugs working for the APC. Myself and my supporters were attacked, and gunshots were fired at us. We were at St. Peter’s Anglican Church at Obibiezena in Owerri North to attend a church service.
“I was duly invited by the church to attend its synod but policemen stationed Armored Personnel Carriers and thugs. They said I was not going to be allowed to enter the church, that the governor was worshipping there.
“I confronted them and asked them why I should be stopped from worshipping God in my own state simply because the governor is there.
I called the Director of the DSS, who called the state Commissioner of Police, who spoke to one officer, Ola, who literally disobeyed the Commissioner of Police. A lower-ranking officer disobeying a Commissioner of Police! I have not seen this one before.
“I confronted them, but my wife held me, and I was with a woman, I had to obey her. We turned our vehicles and went home. They attacked my vehicle and shot at them. If not that my cars were bulletproof, there would have been casualties.
“I want to put the President of Nigeria and all Nigerians on notice about what Hope Uzodimma is using the police and thugs to do in Imo State. They want to annihilate us, but I am more emboldened to lead this change. I am leading the change to liberate my people.
“Imo people should come out and vote Labour Party and defend their votes so that we will take back our state.”