The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the November 11 governorship election in Imo, Senator Athan Achonu, on Sunday, accused the police of attacking him and his convoy while on his way to church in the Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.
Briefing journalists in Owerri on Sunday afternoon, Achonu said he was at Peter’s Anglican Church in Obibiezena community to attend its synod, having received an invitation from the church.
He said police officers with thugs allegedly attacked him and prevented him and his convoy from gaining access to the church premises.
He said that the policemen told him that he would not be allowed access to the church premises because the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, was at the church service.
He said that the commander of the Tiger base unit of the state police command led the charge against him, saying that the officer refused to allow him to enter the church even when the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Berde, spoke to him on the phone.
Achonu said, “Today, I was attacked by policemen together with thugs working for the APC. Myself and my supporters were attacked, and gunshots were fired at us. We were at St. Peter’s Anglican Church at Obibiezena in Owerri North to attend a church service.
“I was duly invited by the church to attend its synod but policemen stationed Armored Personnel Carriers and thugs. They said I was not going to be allowed to enter the church, that the governor was worshipping there.
“I confronted them and asked them why I should be stopped from worshipping God in my own state simply because the governor is there.
I called the Director of the DSS, who called the state Commissioner of Police, who spoke to one officer, Ola, who literally disobeyed the Commissioner of Police. A lower-ranking officer disobeying a Commissioner of Police! I have not seen this one before.
“I confronted them, but my wife held me, and I was with a woman, I had to obey her. We turned our vehicles and went home. They attacked my vehicle and shot at them. If not that my cars were bulletproof, there would have been casualties.
“I want to put the President of Nigeria and all Nigerians on notice about what Hope Uzodimma is using the police and thugs to do in Imo State. They want to annihilate us, but I am more emboldened to lead this change. I am leading the change to liberate my people.
“Imo people should come out and vote Labour Party and defend their votes so that we will take back our state.”
