CENTUS NWEZE REPORTING
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), an opposition group made up of parties not heading federal government in Nigeria say that recent attack on the country home of its spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, was masterminded by Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State, South East Nigeria.
Ugochinyere and Uzodinma belong to separate parties.
While the CUPP is of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Uzodinma is of All Progressives Congress, APC, the ruling party both in the state and at the center.
Ugochinyere’s home was on Saturday attacked by gunmen, where his uncle was killed and his house and cars burnt.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday, the Co-National Spokesman, Comrade Mark Adebayo, called on the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman Baba to order the immediate arrest and thorough investigation of Mr. Chinasa Nwaneri, one of the aides of Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, who allegedly threatened Ugochinyere three weeks as the number one suspect in the attack.
He further called on the Nigeria Police to ensure that all the perpetrators of the heinous crime get arrested quickly for immediate prosecution and necessary punishment as stipulated by law.
“We demand adequate security for Ikenga Ugochinyere and other opposition wherever he goes in continuation of his lawful campaign activities.”
The CUPP said that robust protest will be carried out if nothing is done by the security on the matter.
“We are fully aware that this heinous attack was meant to silence the opposition, but that’s dead on arrival,” CUPP said in prepared statement.
Ugochinyere recently blew the whistle on attampt at compromising voters register within his constituency while also alleging attempt by his governor to have recently passed law on electronic transmission of votes stymied at the court.