PDP Condemns Escalating Violence in Imo State, Urges Governor Uzodinma to Act

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has strongly condemned the recent surge of violence perpetrated by unidentified gunmen, which has left several security personnel dead and public facilities destroyed.

The attacks targeted the council headquarters of the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area (LGA), resulting in the death of security guards.

Additionally, the Divisional Police Headquarters in Obowo LGA was set ablaze, and a policeman was brutally killed in his home near the NEPA junction in the Umulogho community of the same LGA.

In a press statement, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Lancelot Obiaku, expressed the party’s outrage over these senseless attacks, which he described as both unjustifiable and alien to the values of Nigerian society.

Obiaku extended the party’s condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to all residents of Imo State who have been left in mourning and fear due to the ongoing violence.

“Our party maintains that the continuous mindless attacks on public facilities and the killing of innocent citizens are unjustifiable and have no place in our culture and nationhood,” Obiaku stated.

He further lamented the lack of effective measures to curb these recurring acts of violence, pointing to what he described as the “inactive and indifferent” stance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government under Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The PDP has been vocal in its criticism of Governor Uzodinma’s handling of the security situation in Imo State, accusing him of failing to take proactive steps to protect lives and property.

Obiaku argued that the governor’s perceived inaction has contributed to a normalisation of violence, enabling attackers to operate with impunity and transforming the state into a “theatre of war, bloodshed, and sorrow.”

He urged the governor to prioritise the safety of Imo citizens over political manoeuvring, highlighting the dire need for a robust response to the escalating insecurity.

“Amid this destruction and bloodbath, what we could hear from Gov. Uzodinma and Imo APC are stories of how they are having their secret primary elections as regards the local government elections,” Obiaku remarked, criticising the governor’s focus on internal party politics while the state grapples with a severe security crisis.

Obiaku also referenced a leaked video in which Governor Uzodinma, during a private meeting with APC members, allegedly claimed to be fully aware of the happenings across all LGAs in the state.

This assertion, according to Obiaku, is in stark contrast to the reality on the ground, where the governor appears disconnected from the urgent needs of the people he was elected to serve.

“The governor sits in an exalted position without doing anything, and these attackers keep on snuffing lives out of innocent citizens,” Obiaku said.

He accused the state leadership of showing little concern for governance and the wellbeing of its citizens, suggesting that the administration’s priorities lie elsewhere.

“To them, governance does not matter; lives can be lost, Imo can burn, and people can die of hunger for all they care.”

The PDP has called on the state government to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace and order in Imo State.

This includes enhancing security measures, increasing police presence in vulnerable areas, and improving intelligence gathering to preempt further attacks.

Obiaku stressed that the ongoing violence not only threatens the safety of individuals but also undermines the broader social and economic stability of the state.

Furthermore, the PDP has urged Governor Uzodinma to demonstrate true leadership by addressing the root causes of the insecurity, which include unemployment, poverty, and the marginalisation of certain groups.

By tackling these underlying issues, the government can begin to build a more secure and inclusive environment for all residents of Imo State.

The recent attacks have once again highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms in Nigeria, where communities are increasingly vulnerable to violent crime.

As the PDP and other stakeholders call for action, the hope remains that the state government will rise to the challenge and work towards ensuring the safety and prosperity of all Imolites.

The PDP’s statement is not only a condemnation of the current state of affairs but also a rallying cry for the protection of life, justice, and the restoration of peace in Imo State.