Panic As Gunmen Attack Ebonyi APGA Governorship Candidate

Prof. Bernard Odoh, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, has been attacked.

The man and members of his team were attacked by gunmen yesterday.

The incident, it was gathered, happened at Iboko, in Izzi Local Government. Odoh confirmed the attack to reporters in Abakaliki.

He alleged that the gunmen were members of Ebubeagu Security Outfit.

Odoh said they shot and damaged a car in his convoy, but luckily no one was injured.

He alleged that the attack was a declaration of war on him and his supporters by the state government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “We went to inaugurate a campaign office. Before we left, I received calls from some persons, threatening me not to go. Even the DPO of the area called and said I should shelve the visit, as he was under pressure over the visit.

“But I said I am the APGA candidate, I should be able to visit any part of the state I want to govern. So, I went with my security guards and supporters.

“Before we got there, they had locked up the office with chain, to prevent me from access the place. We met our supporters in front of the building and addressed them.

“While returning, they attacked and shot at us, but luckily, no one was injured. They, however, damaged one of the cars.

“They have taken the battle directly to us. We want the world to understand what is going on. The war has been declared on us and we are going to take the war back to them.

“We are not cowards, we are not fools. This is not how to run a democracy. They can’t force anyone on the people. The people of Ebonyi have a right to select their leaders. We have a right to reach out to our people.

“I come from a local government. If they continue like this, will Nwifuru (APC governorship candidate) go there to campaign?”

The Chairman of APC in the state, Stanley Okoro, who is also the security consultant to the government in charge of Ebubeagu, could not be reached for comments.

Leo Oketa, spokesperson for the APC governorship candidate, Francis Nwifuru, did not respond to the messages sent to him.