Peoples Democratic Party’s thugs launched an attack on the campaign team of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia, Dr. Alex Otti, on Thursday at Ntigha Junction on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway,
The armed attack against the former Diamond Bank boss and front line governorship candidate in the upcoming general elections in the state was the second in less than two weeks.
The campaign team was attacked on March 9, while on their way to Oboro in Ukwuano Local Government Area of the state for town hall meetings with the people of the area.
Eyewitnesses account said that Thursday’s attack happened while Otti’s motorcade was on its way to Mbawsi in Isialangwa North Local Government Area of the state, for a town hall meeting. It is assumed to have started at the venue of the Town Hall meeting.
The account stated that the thugs waylaid Otti’s team at Ntigha Junction on the expressway.
The thugs were said to have blocked the way to Mbawsi, shooting randomly into the air, resulting in a stampede as motorists on the expressway as well as cyclists, passersby and hawkers at the junction ran to different directions for safety.
A cyclist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the incident happened around 2 p.m, saying that the thugs were later repelled by youths of the area ‘’assisted by policemen.’’
He said, ‘’the thugs came in branded buses and blocked the road to Mbawsi.
‘’We sensed that there was danger and they started shooting as soon as Otti’s convoy (motorcade) approached the junction.
‘’The resultant stampede made vehicles on the expressway, motorcyclists, hawkers and everybody to run for safety,’’ Sunday said.
He said that Otti’s motorcade parked by the roadside until the thugs took to their heels.
It was gathered that signs of a possible disruption of Otti’s town hall meetings in the area was noticed in the morning when thugs attacked and vandalised a vehicle bearing a public address system, which was going round playing Otti’s campaign songs and jingles.
One of our reporters contacted APGA Protocol Officer who oversaw the Isialangwa North Venue, Mr. Ikenga, he reported that the thugs numbering more than 200 led by TC Chairman, Mr Ginger Onwusibe and his companion Okoronkwo Chimezie(Fmr. TC Chairman) walked into the hall and asked them to leave that His excellency Chief TA Orji was paying a visit to the area. Ikenga replied that the hall has been paid for., They also got police clearance to hold their rally and since your excellency isn’t using our venue but only visiting the area, there is no problem, my own excellency’s town hall meeting should hold as scheduled.
Ginger replied “We will cut off the head of anybody who supports another team that will render us jobless when they win”
The campaign team later moved to Ntigha to hold a town hall meeting with the people before moving to Mbawsi, where they were received by a large crowd of supporters.
The youths of the area turned the meeting into a carnival as they danced round the community, chanting pro-Otti’s songs and displaying his campaign posters.
Youths from Isialangwa north have vowed to deal with the TC Chairman of the local government area, Chief Ginger Onwusibe for leading Thursday’s attack against the campaign team of the governorship candidate of APGA Dr. Alex Otti who was in the area for a Town Hall Meeting. Eye witness account said that Onwusibe led at least 30 armed thugs to waylay Otti at Ntigha junction on the Enugu – Portharcourt Express enroute to Mbawsi, venue of the first meeting. Onwusibe and his thugs repeatedly shot randomly into the air, causing panic and stampede on the expressway. although the meeting later held, the youths insisted they would deal ruthlessly with Onwusibe for dragging the name of the area in the mud.
According to Sunday Nwama, a youth leader in the area, Onwusibe wants to create the impression that our people are not supporting Otti who is going to be the next governor of the state, ” What has Ginger done for our area? Governor T.A Orji has not commissioned any project in our area since he bacame governor about 8 years ago. He and his annointed candidate Okezie Ikpeazu will not get 1 vote from Isialangwa North. Enough is Enough”, Nwama said.
