By Oginyi Ruth
Ahead of the Saturday general election, Governor David Umahi on Thursday alledged that plans are been perfected by some hoodlums imported into the state by desperate politicians to bomb Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) in the thirteen local government areas in the state.
Governor Umahi, who disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists after a statewide radio broadcast ahead of Saturday 23rd election, said “I have also been told that there are plans to bomb lNEC local government headquarters offices”
The governor who chronicled the various killings and destruction of properties by the pre-election violence that erupted in some parts of the state, frowned at the outbreak of violence, and said the perpetrators would be fished out and brought to book pointing that Ebonyi has been a peaceful state and would not allow any one to distruct the peace.
He said peace committee headed by Fr Abraham Nwali has been set up to find lasting solution to the crisis in Agbaja izzi pointing that the crisis was beyond party politics .
He further condemned the act at Ikwo local government area where the vice chairman of the council, Mrs Regina Iteshi was attacked by unidentified hoodlums and objects inserted into her private part. He promised to make sure that the perpetrators is punished.
He said, “My major concern is that we have free and a fair election on Saturday. There were few things we noticed on 15th February that were not in the character of Ebonyi people.
“Inserting objects in the private parts of the vice chairman of Ikwo. Justice may be delayed, but the law must take its full course. Yesterday, I visited Izzi and saw the faces of defenseless father and mother whose son was killed, and their houses burnt down.
“All those who participated in the killing of the young man and burning of houses will never go scot-free. Politicians are behind the killings and burning down of houses. My promise to all the victims, the young man that was killed and other six others, all those behind it must be brought to book.
“I appeal there should be no reprisal attack. I have ordered that anybody that wants to kill our people should be shot at sight.
“People must be allowed to exercise their right and vote for whom they want to vote for. I promised that if there is not riprasal attack, after the election, I will start the process of building the burnt houses.
“Lives of Ebonyians are very important to us than positions and election. And anyone that takes the lives of others such will follow them to their fith generation. Ebonyians must be alert and demobilize anybody that is parading thugs with police escort.
“Let me also warn INEC. I learnt that certain political party wants to cancel election. That they will go from polling booth to another killing people. If you are INEC worker, discharge your duty according to the electoral law. I have asked the youths and Ebonyians to resist any INEC officials that wants to compromise. I learnt that collation officers are meeting, saying they nominate this and that.
“Let me also remind everybody involve in the election that the electoral act allows to bring to book anybody that erred. If you fail to work by the rules, after the election, you will answer the breaches”, Umahi stated.
