Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that the Abia State government is attempting to silence the PDP and other opposition voices in the state.
The party was reacting to the alarm raised by the Abia State government about a recent political meeting held at the home of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Obingwa LGA.
In a press statement signed by Eric Ikwuagwu, Abia PDP Publicity Secretary, on Tuesday, the party said that there is no known law in Nigeria that prohibits citizens, including former governors, from holding private meetings or expressing their political views.
“Dr. Ikpeazu has every right, both constitutionally and morally, to assemble with his supporters and discuss political matters, especially in his own residence.
“What Otti’s government has maliciously labeled as ‘unlawful political campaigning’ is nothing more than opposition political engagement, where notes are compared and policies of government scrutinised, which is the bedrock of any democracy.”
PDP lamented that the Abia State government was applying a selective approach in responding to political rallies in the state, noting that some civic receptions, thanksgiving, and town hall meetings had been held in the state which had the governor in attendance.
The opposition party, while saying that former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is not making inciting remarks, said that it would never be intimidated or bullied into silence.
Abia PDP further alleged that what Okezie Ikpeazu is facing in Abia could be likened to what former President Goodluck Jonathan faced from his successor after leaving office.
