Tension is building up across Imo state over the invitation by the Imo state Commissioner of Police of the former governor of Imo state, His Excellency, Emeka Ihedioha, over allegations of being involved in a murder, kidnapping and arson case. The letter dated 13th of March was signed by DCP Ukachi P Opara and asked the state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to come along with him.
Also invited for questioning is Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, a well-known critic of Hope Uzodimma, the state governor who has just been elected to the House of Representatives. Ugochinyere had accused the state governor and his agents of being responsible for the dastardly murder of his uncle and the arson that took place in his Akokwa village when his house, other houses and several cars were burnt in a Gestapo style a few weeks ago.
The third person who was invited by the police is Hon Gerald Irona a former deputy governor of the state.
In a swift reaction after the information went public, over ten thousand youths across the state are said to have started mobilising to storm the Imo state Police Command Headquarters in Owerri and the governor’s office simultaneously on Thursday the 16th of March 2023 to coincide with the date they are expected to be at the police formation.
However, some security experts are warning of the severe security implications of inviting the former governor, Ugochinyere and Irona as being capable of sparking off a riot in the state capital which could spread to other parts of the state. They are concerned that the fragile peace in the state may be shattered if Ihedioha, Ugochinyere and Irona honour the police invitation just two days to the House of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday. The youths it is said are of the view that the invitation is based on trumped-up charges to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from sweeping the polls on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Ihedioha is said to be reaching out to the youths to calm them down and not to take laws into their hands. But it is not clear if the incensed youths would listen to his plea.