Allow opposition to campaign, PDP youth group urges Nwifuru

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) support group in Ebonyi State, Odozi Obodo Youth Assembly, has urged Governor Francis Nwifuru to allow opposition parties to do their campaigns for a smooth 2027 general election in the state.

There has been violence in some parts of the state since August 1 this year, which has claimed life with property worth millions of naira destroyed.

There was also alleged public declaration of violence against the opposition by one of the ardent supporters of Nwifuru during All Progressives Congress (APC) local government grand finale rally for the just concluded local government and councilorship elections in the state.

Odozi Obodo Youth Assembly lamented that Governor Nwifuru didn’t disassociate himself from the alleged public utterance by the ardent supporter.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki the state capital, National President of the youth group, Mark Onu, urged Nwifuru to caution his supporters against violence. He also implored the governor to give every political party a level playing ground by allowing them to do their campaigns.

“There is no right thinking person that should come out publicly and declare violence against dissenting voices, and if I am the governor of the state, no matter how closely related that person could be to me,  I will disassociate myself from that. I will make a public statement to show the masses that I am not in support of violence because if the governor should hear such things coming out from any of his aides without saying anything, it doesn’t speak well of him.

“The governor is my very close friend and I can’t speak evil about him because before now, we have been working together. That we disagree politically doesn’t mean I should disrespect him.

“But, let him do the right thing, let him allow the opposition to do their campaign, let him allow the opposition to be. You cannot force people to follow you.

“If you have done enough for the people, you won’t need much campaigning, people will, on their own, say, ‘I’m from Ohaozara, look at what the governor has done for us, and because of this, I will support him . I’m from Izzi, look at what the governor has done for us, and because of that, I will support him’.

“If you say you are flagging off violence, it is an overstatement because, not minding how we look at the country, there is still law guiding this country, and there are evils you will commit, today, when the person that is protecting you leaves office, you will answer for it.

“And that is why we, the youths, should not allow ourselves to be used, because, if we allow ourselves to be used, we will be the ones to receive it at the end. Most politicians use people and when they get into office or when they leave office, anything that happens to you, you are on your own,” Onu said.