The Lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has frowned at the alleged sealing of a venue chosen by his constituents for a civic reception in his honour.
The security agents, including Police and Army, allegedly barricaded the entrance to Isiekenesi Primary School 11, Ideato South Local Government Area, the venue for the event.
Hundreds of his supporters and guests to the event, dressed in the Action People’s Party insignias, clutching party flags, had thronged the venue for the event.
They were, however, denied entrance by a joint team of security personnel from the Police and Nigerian Army; a development that sparked off tension in the area.
Addressing the supporters at a different location, Ugochinyere described the action as an “unwarranted provocation by the Imo Police and State Government”.
“I want every Nigerian to see the level we have degenerated,” he said.
He emphasised that the people of Ideato were simply exercising their “constitutional right” to receive their representative.
According to him, his coordinators received a midnight text message revoking the use of all public facilities.
He alleged that the measure was a deliberate attempt to stop the civic reception.
He said that the event was originally scheduled for Dec. 20 but later postponed to Dec. 23.
“In spite of formal notifications, over 100 police personnel were sent from Owerri to block the venue.
“They have started again,” Ugochinyere said, while recalling alleged assassination attempts on his life in the past.
He urged the State Government to focus on rebuilding primary schools, solar streetlights and health centres.
He said that most of the existing social amenities in the area were provided through his personal efforts.
Ugochinyere said that “freedom of association” was non-negotiable.
He, therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the activities of the Imo Police Command to prevent a repeat of such illegal act.
He also reported the “barbaric” destruction of his billboards, expressing concern that “such actions create unnecessary tension, given the current insecurity facing the state”.
“If you love my people, build the schools and fix the gully erosions,” he challenged the government.
Ugochinyere also sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, describing the current situation in Imo as “political recklessness” that threatened the nation’s democracy.
He commended his supporters for their courage, strength, solidarity and resilience, in spite of the “unwarranted provocation”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Bonny Ebili, said the reception was about “Ugochinyere’s personality and not about any political party”.
Ebili cautioned against political crisis, saying “they only hinder the development of the community”.
Also speaking, Mr Prince Opara of the Ideato South Political Forum praised Ugochinyere’s legislative achievements.
Opara assured the lawmaker of full support for a potential 2027 re-election.
When contacted over the development, the Spokesman for the state Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said he was not “officially briefed” and therefore wasn’t aware of the role police played at the reception venue.
Okoye promised to revert to NAN after his enquiries on the issue. (NAN)