Eight persons were injured by suspected
political thugs following the pulling down
of billboards of some governorship
candidates in Onitsha, Anambra State, in
the build up to the November 16
governorship election.
The candidates whose billboards were
destroyed are said to be those not from
Anambra North Senatorial District.
Although Police Public Relations Officer
(PPRO) in the state, Emeka Chukwuemeka,
told reporters that the issue of billboards
is a local government affair, campaign
directors of most of the candidates hold
contrary views.
While admitting that payments for
billboards were made to the various local
governments, they allege that thugs from
Anambra North were responsible for their
destruction.
People from Anambra North with the
support of Governor Peter Obi insist it is
the turn of their zone to produce the next
Governor of the state, warning that any
politician that accepts the position of a
running mate or campaign director for a
non-Anambra North candidate would not
only have his or her house burnt but will
also be excommunicated from the area.
Already, billboards belonging to Ifeanyi
Ubah of Labour Party (LP), Chris Ngige of
All Progressives Congress (APC), Godson
Okoye of United Democratic Party (UDP)
Godwin Ezeemo of Peoples Progressives
Alliance (APP) and Hygers Igwebuike of
Accord Party (AP) have allegedly been
vandalised.
Similarly, there is an alleged plot by some
youths to disrupt any campaign rally by
any candidate from Anambra Central and
Anambra South.
The youths are insisting that the
marginalisation of Anambra North can no
longer be condoned.
One of the youths who gave his name as
Uchenna Okoye told Daily Independent in
an interview that, “All we want is for
Anambra North to produce the next
Governor and we the Alliance of Olu Na’
Adagbe youths will ensure that this is
achieved.
“But we do not support the destruction of
the billboards. Our organisation has no
hand in it. Those doing that are people
that have no job to do.”
Areas like Awkuzu junction, Otuocha
junction, Anaku round about in the
Ayamelum and Oyi local government
areas respectively and parts of Atani town
in the Ogbaru Local Government area
have witnessed the pulling down or
defacing of billboards and posters by
faceless youths.
Reacting to these developments, Chairman
of the Ifeanyi Ubah Campaign
Organisation, Dan Ulasi, told Daily
Independent that it is sad and
unfortunate that “our politics has been
reduced to the level of brigandage and
arson.”
“It is indeed pitiable that at this modern
age when politics is being played with the
spirit of maturity and sportsmanship,
some enemies of the democratic process
have toed the path of criminality.
“Our candidate, Ubah, is a peace loving
man that believes in the rule of law and
peaceful process and he cannot be cowed
by such display of rascality.
“We urge the law enforcement agencies to
be alive to their responsibility by ensuring
that the culprits are brought to book.”
Also, Director of Communications for
Ngige Campaign Organisation, Charles
Amilo, told reporters that it has become a
common practice for political parties and
candidates who are not on ground to take
the laws into their hands.
“In 2010 the same thing happened to
Ngige posters and billboards. Today it is
happening again. I do not think that the
only way to win election is by violence
and pulling down billboards and posters.
“Ngige’s billboards are being pulled down
and defaced in some parts of Anambra
North. In fact, we have it on good
authority that some APGA chieftains in
the local government area have been
directed to ensure that Ngige’s billboards
and some others who they claim to be
against Anambra North agenda are not
allowed to be seen,” Amilo alleged.
Chairman Ezeemo Campaign Organisation,
Path Orjiakor, also told Daily Independent
that no amount of intimidation can stop a
winning candidate.
“They know that our candidate is on
ground and all they are doing is to see if
they can distract or discourage him.
Those in Anambra North who feel that
they can produce Governor through this
means should be mindful of its grave
consequences.
“Every candidate is free to campaign
anywhere in a peaceful manner and not
through violence because it is an ill wind
that blows no good,” Orjiakor said.
Director of Hygers Igwebuike’s
organisation, Chuba Ikeagwu, warned that
nobody has the monopoly of violence in
Anambra State.
“What those people are looking for is
trouble and I appeal to my brothers from
Anambra North to call their youths to
order.”
However, governorship aspirant of PDP
and former Senator representing Anambra
North, Emma Anosike, sued for peace,
warning that people should not take laws
into their hands in the name of politics.
“Well, I am yet to see or confirm what
happened. But I must advice that we are
all brothers and sisters in Anambra State
and should not allow this to degenerate to
this level,” Anosike pleaded.[url]dailyindependentnig.com/2013/10/anambra-poll-eight-injured-over-billboard-destruction/[/url]

Dem dey learn

Nigerian politics is not for the feeble minded. For you to win any election you must be ready to do all sort of nonsense e.g briandage arson killing of ur opponent doing all sort of evil i.e killing of former PDP GOVERNØR CONTESTANT IN LAGOS .

Anambra North youths are on rampage clearly to achieve one mission, instigating that Peter Obi is behind this just as reported is an indication that this report is biased. He only initiated the power crusade based on equity which no one was against initially.

do anambra north think they can win without the other zones?
Obi plans have finally worked,he will be so proud of himself now

o'boy:
do anambra north think they can win without the other zones?
Obi plans have finally worked,he will be so proud of himself now

his plan did not work anything dont mind the poster just above you, because, not all anambra north ppl are surporting Obi and his puppet, dont mind the general belief that anambra north is behind Obi. Its a big Lie!!!...if you tell me Aguleri is behind Obi(ano) i will believe you but not all anambra north.

Omo see gobe

Obi would be in trouble when we assume power