By Ewa Innocent, The Sight News
Abakaliki: Ebonyi State government has described an allegation trending on social media that Ebubeagu security outfit in the State was responsible for the attack on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Prof Benard Odo, as absolutely irresponsible, without foundation, and cleverly woven to tarnish the image of governor Umahi-led administration.
The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Chief Uchenna Orji, stated this in a press briefing held at EXCO chambers, old Government House, Abakaliki.
The Information boss who was flanked in the press briefing by the Ebonyi State Security Consultant, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, said such allegation which has become a stock in trade of the opposition element, APGA, should be discountenanced, as Ebubeagu personnel were completely out of the alleged attack.
According to the Commissioner, the opposition(APGA) has no mission or vision other than to go to pages of social media to make spurious allegations against the State Government.
He challenged APGA to come out with clear evidence to prove that Ebubeagu was responsible for the attack on the convoy of the APGA candidate, Prof. Benard Odoh.
“Such an allegation, we want to say categorically that we are not surprised because that has been their stock in trade. They have nothing to show, no mission or vision other than to go to pages of social media to lay accusations from time to time against the state government. As far as it is unfounded,we know it is from them,the opposition.
“Let’s challenge them to give us evidence of any Ebubeagu person, attacking any person, let alone the convoy of governorship candidate of APGA.We want them to come up with any empirical evidence showing the identity or result close to the identity or whoever that may have attacked them, the location and all the circumstances.
“Again, in a criminal matter, we also want to challenge them to please ensure that they get the necessary authorities to know. If they have persons they are suspecting, they must be bold and courageous to mention such names”, he said.
The Security Consultant to the State Government, Chief Stanley Emegha, on his own, advised APGA and other opposition political parties to desist from playing politics with human lives.
His words,“Professor Odoh is becoming too desperate, he should know that if he doesn’t become the Governor, Ebonyi State will still move on.
“Let us always know that come what,we are from Ebonyi and no matter what you become tomorrow it is tenured and the moment the tenure is expired you leave the office.”
Emegha, however, condemned the alleged attack on the convoy of Professor Benard Odo by yet-to-be identified armed men, urging all and sundry to be security conscious at all times and give vital information to the security agencies to enable them tackle insecurity as security is the business of all.
Furthermore, he noted that the Government of Engr. David Umahi has placed a high premium on the security of lives and property, hence his huge investment in the sector.
He emphasized that Ebubeagu as a responsible and legally established outfit cannot attack Ebonyi citizens it ought to protect.
The security consultant urged the public to discountenance such unfounded allegations, assuring that the perpetrators of the heinous crime will surely be brought to book.
Recall that the convoy of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship candidate, Professor Odo was on Wednesday night allegedly attacked along rest house axis, Okpoto in ishielu Local Government Area, leading to the death of his driver, while some others were injured.
