Elekeokuri Urges Supporters To Be Calm In The Face Of Provocation

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The Member Representing the Ika North East constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and candidate of the People’s  Democratic Party, PDP in the March 9 2019 House of Assembly election, Honourable Anthony Elekeokuri has charged his supporters to remain calm even in the face of provocations and unwarranted attacks.

Honourable Elekeokuri while addressing a large number of residents of Umunede Community, his home town, who were on a solidarity visit following the wanton destruction of his property, that of his father and those of some PDP chieftains by some persons allegedly led by an indigene of the town contesting  Saturday’s National Assembly election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Lawmaker told his people that he would continue to promote peace at all times, especially as an official of government.

Honourable Elekeokuri condemned the attack, pointing out that the people must remain resolute in the fight against injustice and darkness.

He stated that the development was alien to Umunede community and wondered why some one he described as a friend and brother should  encourage his supporters to engage in politically motivated attacks.

He stated that the development was alien to Umunede community and wondered why some one he described as a friend and brother should  encourage his supporters to engage in politically motivated attacks.

“I appeal to you all to be calm and vigilant. When one is unpopular, he resorts to violence. This kind of injustice and darkness can never stand in our peace loving community. We have been campaigning vigorously as a party for PDP candidates. We know that victory is sure and on that platform we stand. We must reject violence. It is not part of us and will never be part of Umunede community ” Elekeokuri stated.

Explaining further, he said “Between 9 to 10am on Saturday, they came to  my ongoing project site, shooting sporadically, destroyed a lot of things, attacked my workers and stole their money. Thereafter, they went to my father’s compound, destroyed six of my campaign branded vehicles amongst other items. They also went to Chief Andrew Emeri’s, Honourable Sunday Iheme’s, Chibuzor Obidike’s and Kenneth Onwuegbuosa’s houses, all PDP supporters and carried out one form of destruction or the other. They went into the town pulling down PDP bill boards. I have reported to the police and hope that they will do their job”.

Some of the victims who spoke alleged that the attackers were aided by policemen in two hilux vehicles, stating that when they were confronted they simply said, “that is politics”.

They said the attackers were over fifty in number, chanting APC and some war songs and inscribing ‘APC’ on the walls of the residents visited including that of Honourable Elekeokuri.

The victims accused the APC candidate for the Ika Federal Constituency election of masterminding the attacks and wondered why he should rise against his community all in the name of politics.

Meantime, the traditional ruler of Umunede kingdom, Obi Ezeagwuna Agadagidi the first, has warned that the attacks on some residents and the destruction of property witnessed in the community last Saturday should never happen again.

Addressing some residents at his palace, the Monarch said Umunede had been a peaceful community and should not be turned into a war zone.

Addressing some residents at his palace, the Monarch said Umunede had been a peaceful community and should not be turned into a war zone.

Vowing never to allow such happen again in his kingdom, Agadagidi the first urged politicians to shun politics of rancor and bitterness, stressing the need to peacefully campaign for votes of the people and not take to violence.

He said in democracy, the popular candidate must always emerge victorious not the other way round and emphasized the importance of rancour free elections in the community.

The traditional ruler enjoined the law enforcement agencies to be alive to their responsibilities at all times.

The traditional ruler enjoined the law enforcement agencies to be alive to their responsibilities at all times.

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