Anambra Police Wade Into APGA, ACN Clash

THE police in Anambra State have waded into a reported alarm by the  Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that its members were physically assaulted and injured on their way back from a political rally in Agulu, |Anaocha council by suspected members of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

ACN chairman in the state, Chief Amechi Obidike had fingered supporters of Mrs Uche Ekwunife, an APGA candidate for the Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the April elections, as the culprits.

But Ekwunife has denied the allegation, describing it  as mere fabrication to discredit her and her efforts to move the area forward.

Obidike said many ACN members sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently in hospital.

He told journalists in his office after a visit to the police headquarters that this was the second time such attack was recorded and prayed it would be the last.

“Thousands of ACN supporters on the entourage of our House of Representatives candidate for Aniocha/ Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal constituency, Mr Ferdinand Dozie Nkwankwo who is challenging the incumbent, Mrs. Uche  Ekwunife of the APGA, were attacked as they arrived for a scheduled rally at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Agulu,” he said.

He disclosed that apart from bodily injuries, they lost large sums of money, telephone handsets, documents and other personal items in the attack.

“It is most worrisome as this attack is reminiscent of the same attack meted out on some Action Congress (ACN) supporters and party agents in the February 6, 2010 gubernatorial election in the same Agulu

“Some of these people attacked and injured with  broken heads and limbs have made official reports to the police and have been taken to hospital for treatment.

“The law enforcement agents are  hereby invited to stand up to the occasion, investigate and bring the culprits to book so as to prevent future occurrence as this is geared towards truncating the April elections,” he said.

Reacting, Ekwunife denied knowledge of such matter, pointing out that she and her supporters have no reason to resent anyone, let alone a new politician like Nwankwo.

She pointed out that her home commuity of Nri received and interacted with Nwankwo when he visited. “So why should I attack him elsewhere, especially at our governor’s country home? No, it’s not me, it’s not my people”, Ekwunife stressed.