‘We’re Worried’, Labour Party Speaks On Imo, Kogi November Poll

Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, expressed his concern regarding the safety situation prior to the upcoming November 11 gubernatorial elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa states on Sunday.

VerseNews reports that at Channels Television’s People’s Townhall on Election Security on Sunday through Zoom, Abure identified Imo and Kogi as the flashpoint states with Bayelsa having less threat.

Abure voiced concern over reports of security agencies allegedly conspiring with gunmen to target the offices of the LP in Imo. The situation, he said, had caused worry to LP governorship candidates in Imo and Kogi, as they feared for their safety and that of their possessions come Saturday.

“My party and candidates are very worried about the security situation in Imo and Kogi especially. All through our campaigns, our office has been attacked severally by unknown gunmen, who in some cases, security agencies accompany [those who carry out] some of those activities that took place in the attack on our office,” he stated.

“All of these activities raise serious issues about the security of lives and properties in Imo and Kogi especially. Our major worry as a political party is in Imo and Kogi.

“We have less violence about Bayelsa. Bayelsa may not be a very serious flashpoint. We are not seriously worried about Bayelsa State.”

The LP Chairman asserted at the townhall meeting that Senator Athan Achonu, the party’s governorship candidate in Imo, had been assaulted by gunmen on Sunday in Owerri.

Reports allege that police officers and thugs attacked him and barred his group and him from entering the church grounds.

“Just this evening, a report reaching me has it that my own governorship candidate was attacked in Owerri West Local Government.

“If this townhall is about to start and my candidate is subject to attack, it makes it difficult to take into account all the assurances by security agencies that the elections in these three states could be free and fair,” Abure added.

The state government has yet to affirm or refute the incident, however, it is understood that Achonu reportedly accused the police of the state of assaulting him and his entourage and forbidding him from going to a church service in the Owerri North Local Government Area.