— alleges threats, planned arrest of members
By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
ABAKALIKI — The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied allegations that its members are involved in the illegal procurement or hoarding of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The party described the allegation as a campaign against its members and alleged that it could be used as a basis for intimidation, harassment and arrest of its supporters and officials.
The State Publicity Secretary and spokesperson of the PDP in Ebonyi, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, stated this on Wednesday at a press conference in Abakaliki.
Onwe alleged that the development came amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also referred to previous comments attributed to the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, regarding the PDP and other opposition parties in the state, saying the party had expressed its concerns to relevant authorities.
“Our party is a law-abiding political organisation, and at no time has it contemplated, authorised or condoned any conduct capable of violating the Electoral Act 2026, the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or any other extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Onwe said.
He said the PDP rejected any attempt to associate its members with alleged unlawful dealings involving PVCs.
The party spokesperson further expressed concern over what he described as possible actions against its members, saying such measures, if undertaken without due process, could infringe on their constitutional rights.
He urged security and electoral institutions, including the Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Services (DSS), INEC and human rights bodies, to monitor developments in the state and ensure that political activities were conducted in accordance with the law.
Onwe also referred to an earlier incident at Ikwuator, Idembia, in Ezza South Local Government Area, where he alleged that political thugs disrupted a PDP event organised to receive a former APC member into the party.
He alleged that journalists covering the event were also affected during the incident.
The PDP spokesperson said the party had placed its members, structures and stakeholders on alert and would pursue lawful channels to address any alleged infringement of their rights.
He reiterated the party’s commitment to peaceful and constitutional political activities and urged the state government and APC leadership to focus on issue-based engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
As of the time of filing this report, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State had not responded to the allegations.
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