Ebonyi Council boss replies South East PDP over alleged arrest of PDP supporters

By PUNCHYNEWS

Abakaliki-THE Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi state, Princess Chinyere Iyioku, yesterday replied the Acting National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Ali Odefa over his recent allegation that she ordered the arrest of PDP supporters in the area.

Recall that Odefa during his press conference of December 7, 2020 at the PDP zonal headquarters, Enugu state alleged that the council Chairman on Friday December 3rd , 2020 alleged that some PDP members and supporters in Ugwulangwu community were the “IPOB” members who attacked police stations in Ebonyi state during the EndSARS protest in the state.

Responding to the allegation, Princess Iyioku in a statement issued on December 8, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, dismissed the allegation as concocted falsehood against her person.

The council boss who is also the ALGON Chairman in the State emphasized that she never directed or in proxy accused, alleged, reported, instructed any security agency to arrest, detain or prosecute any person or group of persons on her behalf in Ugwulangwu. 

She advised Ali Odefa, his cohorts and purported supporters to carryout their activities within the confines of the law. 

The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Executive Chairman, Ohaozara LGA, Hon.(Mrs.) Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku, has been drawn to a press conference granted in Enugu on Monday, 7th December, 2020 by the factional National Vice Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, South East Zone, Chief Ali Odefa, wherein he concocted and peddled falsehood against my person in other to deceive the gullible public. 

“As a royal princess from a renowned and well respected traditional dynasty in Ezeokechima, Nkechinyere Iyioku wouldn’t have descended so low to join issues with Ali Odefa who has thrown caution, respect, trust, integrity and reputation to the whirlwind but for the avoidance of doubt and compelling need to put the records straight as the Executive Chairman of Ohaozara LGA. 

“Ali Odefa should expend his energy in tackling the hydra-headed crises rocking his party, PDP in Ebonyi State. Princess Iyioku is very comfortable in aligning herself with the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Chief(Apostle) David Nweze Umahi and therefore, re-affirm her support and complete loyalty for his defection to the All Progressive Congress, APC. 

“Going by the royal upbringing of Princess Iyioku, it has never been in her character to assassinate, falsely allege, ruin or bring down the reputations of her valuable and destiny helpers unlike Ali Odefa and therefore strongly advise him to sit back and think of tomorrow. 

“Therefore, Ali Odefa should as a matter of responsibility, respect to the rule of law and constituted authorities, advise his “purported supporters” to be law abiding and avoid any act or conduct that would breach the relative peace enjoyed by the good people of Ohaozara LGA. 

“The Nigeria police force is empowered by law to invite any individual or group of persons to appear before it for questioning, interview or for whatsoever reason and nobody from Ugwulangwu or Ohaozara Local Government have been invited by the police on the account of Hon. Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku.

“Hon. Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku on her honour either direct or in proxy never accused, alleged, reported instructed any security agency(ies) to arrest, detain or prosecute any person or group of persons on her behalf in Ugwulangwu but would rather advise Ali Odefa, his cohorts and purported supporters to carryout their activities within the confines of the law. She would not allow hooligans to further destroy Government facilities in Ohaozara LGA. 

“Ezeokechima clan(Ugwulangwu and Mgbom-Ugwulangwu Autonomous Communities) in Ohaozara LGA have been in perpetual peace, would continue to live in peace and strongly advise Ali Odefa and his cohorts to stay clear. And as the Executive Chairman, she would continue to ensure that lives and property of the good people of Ohaozara LGA are adequately protected.”