Chief Julius Oji, also known as Ochiri Edda and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, has called on Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi to cease making inciting statements about the Edda clan in Afikpo South Local Government Area. Oji, a convener of Edda Identity—a socio‑cultural group in the area—argued that Umahi’s recent remarks could provoke intra‑communal conflict and left the clan feeling threatened.
At a public event on Wednesday, Governor Umahi criticized the Edda people for “not doing well” in the February 25, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections and urged them to do “whatever” they could to ensure his ruling All Progressives Congress wins the upcoming governorship poll on March 18. The PDP stalwart responded on Thursday, stating that the governor has no right to force residents to vote against their will and accusing him of squandering the years he has governed the state.
The statement read: “Our people have been in perpetual pain since you assumed office as Ebonyi State Governor seven years and ten months ago. Under your watch as Chief Security Officer, there have been numerous killings, intimidation, violence, bloodshed and all manner of crises in Ebonyi State. The most recent killings in the Ekoli Edda community on 26 December 2022 should have humbled you, yet you came to Edda on Wednesday, threatening violence. We have had enough of these unwanted killings, intimidation, and bloodshed and can no longer remain silent. Allow the Edda people to choose whomever they have confidence in to govern and represent them.
Edda people are known warriors and cannot be cajoled or subjected to any form of intimidation or oppression to influence their choice in the upcoming election on Saturday. Go to your hometown of Uburu and let them decide. We heard in the February 25 elections that you lost woefully but resorted to violence to win. Our people will resist all your antics to ensure that the people’s choices emerge victorious. Our people have spoken; they have rejected you, your party, and whatever you stand for. Ebonyians have never endured such hardship before you became governor. Under your watch, Ebonyians have experienced killings, intimidation, bloodshed, and calamities, yet you stood on the podium to call on God, aiming to confuse and deceive our people.
Our people yearn for good governance, yet you stand against them, keeping them in perpetual pain. The Edda people and I have heard your video outburst and threats to my person and life. I am using this medium to draw the attention of the Inspector‑General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the State Security Services and other security agencies to Governor David Umahi’s threatening and inciting statements about the Edda people.”
Comments are closed for this story.