The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ifeanyi Ossia, has been accused of threatening Catholic priests in Enugu North senatorial district for preaching against bad leadership and urging people not to vote for those who use government machinery to terrorise the state’s citizens. According to our correspondent, a few days before the election, armed thugs invaded several Catholic parishes in Nsukka and threatened reverends and their parishioners because of their intention to vote against the PDP candidates. Since the incident, neither the PDP nor the Enugu State government has condemned the invasion or the attacks on religious leaders.
One of the affected priests, who wished to remain anonymous because his bishop has not authorised him to speak to the press, said, “The state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has approached the church leadership to defuse the tension. However, the deputy governorship candidate has yet to apologise.” He added that Ossia, who has not been elected, has already threatened “fire and brimstone” against priests and anyone who does not support the PDP, warning that he would become a terror to the people of Enugu State if he becomes deputy governor. “It is good that they are showing their colour before the election,” the priest said.
In a related development, the Enugu State chapter of the PDP has petitioned the Inspector General of Police to act against the senator‑elect for Enugu North, Chief Okey Ezea, over what it describes as inciting statements made ahead of the March 11 governorship election. The PDP Campaign Council issued a statement on Sunday calling for Ezea’s arrest and prosecution. The petition, dated March 2, 2023, is titled “Petition Against Mr. Okey Ezea for Threats of and Incitement to Violence” and is signed by the state secretary, Mr. Cletus Akalusi.
The petition alleges that Ezea, the Labour Party’s candidate in the February 25 National Assembly election, made offensive remarks while addressing supporters at his Itchi country home in Igboeze South Local Government Area. He described the upcoming governorship election as a “do‑or‑die game” in Enugu North Senatorial District. The PDP claims these threats were unprovoked and represent the first step in a plot to unleash mayhem on election day. A video of Ezea’s statements has gone viral on social media, allegedly causing fear and panic among PDP supporters in Enugu North and across the state. Consequently, the party urges the police to arrest and prosecute Ezea to ensure a peaceful conduct of the March 11, 2023 governorship election in Enugu State.
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