Youth group condemns police attack on Obi supporters in Ebonyi

The Coalition of South-East Youth leaders has condemned police attack on the supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi on Saturday in Ebonyi.

In a statement signed by its President-General, Chief Goodluck Ibem, the group demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all the policemen involved in the dehumanisation of Obi supporters in the state.

The statement read partly, “The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, the apex socio-political youth group in the South-East geopolitical zone, condemns in the strongest terms the unwarranted and unlawful attack with tear gas by men of the Nigeria Police Force on supporters of the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, known as the Obidient Movement that gathered at the Enugu Road in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State for a peaceful march in support of their candidate.

“It is regrettable that Governor David Umahi elected as governor under a democratic administration by the people to govern them will resort to a military system of government where the people’s rights and privileges are trampled upon and the rule of law thrown away to the abyss.

“Why would the governor elected by the people turn around to order the police to brutalise, teargas and arrest law-abiding citizens who came out for a peaceful march in support of their preferred presidential candidate? This is the height of impunity against our hard-earned democracy.

“Governor Umahi has displayed the military type of leadership that is characterised by the abuse of the people’s fundamental human rights in a democratic setting.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to immediately arrest and prosecute those police officers involved in this show of shame.

“No known law empowers the police to arrest law-abiding citizens for exercising their rights to a peaceful assembly for their preferred candidate.

“Why is Governor Umahi fighting our democratic ethos in a democratic setting? This is the height of impunity and tyranny taken too far and we will not accept it.

The group, “demand the payment of compensation and an apology to those who were unlawfully arrested and teargassed for coming out today to exercise their legitimate rights and privilege.

“We will not accept any insult again from any political leader or political office holder against citizens upon which they derived their powers to govern them.

“Democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people. It is not government of one man, for one man, and by one man. It is high time our constitution and the rule of law must be respected by all and sundry. Enough said!”

“One of the organisers, Steve Ugama, said aside from dispersing and tear-gassing the supporters, about five of his colleagues had been arrested by the police.

Ibem said, “This is inhuman and undemocratic. We have gathered here this morning for our peaceful march, all of a sudden, the police came and started tear-gassing us and arresting our people.

“They said we can’t hold the march, because Governor David Umahi asked them to stop us, that we can’t hold it. About four of our colleagues have been arrested. We need help here.”

Chinyere Treasure Mbadiwe
Chinyere Treasure Mbadiwehttp://wakadaily.com
Chinyere Treasure Mbadiwe is the Co-founder and CEO of Wakadaily News. With a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), she brings a wealth of leadership and strategic expertise to the platform. Chinyere is passionate about delivering high-quality, engaging news that informs and empowers audiences. Her vision for Wakadaily is to create a space where reliable, diverse, and impactful content connects people and fosters informed conversations.

Popular Related

Kano gov swears in seven new commissioners, six perm secs

The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Monday, swore in seven new commissioners and six permanent secretaries as part of his administration’s renewed efforts...

FG to introduce three new national ID cards for 104m Nigerians

The Federal Government has announced plans to provide three distinct national identity cards for roughly 104 million residents as part of an ambitious overhaul...

Sanwo-Olu promotes former Chief Press Secretary to SA Media

Gboyega Akosile, the former chief press secretary of the CPS, has been appointed to the position of special adviser for media and publicity by...

Scammers steal $100m from Binance

Scammers have stolen $100 million in cryptocurrency from Binance, the largest crypto exchange suffered what it called a "potential exploit." The Company CEO, Changpeng Zhao...

Lagos to investigate pupil sent out of school over Obi’s poster

Lagos State Ministry of Education commence investigation into the complaint of a parent, Mr Barinaadaa, whose child was sent out of school for using...

NYSC relocates Plateau orientation camp over attacks 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that the location for the 2023 Batch 'B' Stream One Orientation Camp in Plateau State has...

Armed robbers invade Ogun poly communities, molest female students

Some suspected armed robbers reportedly shot and sexually molested students of the Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, following...

Supreme Court endorse use of Hijab in Lagos Schools 

Nigeria Supreme Court has approved the use of hijab by female Muslim students in Lagos State schools. "The court gave the judgment in an appeal...

Gunmen kidnap teenager, kill four in Sokoto community 

Gunmen kidnapped teenager and killed four people on their farmland in a community close to the Gandi district of the Rabba Local Government Area...

Terrorists kill 10 Niger soldiers

No fewer than 10 soldiers died in an ambush by a group of “armed terrorists” in southwestern Niger, close to the Mali border, the...