From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
A group, All Ebonyians in Diaspora (AED), has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, over the activities of Ebubeagu Security outfit and its grave implications on the 2023 general elections in Ebonyi State and called for a quick intervention to arrest the situation.
In the petition dated 20th November, 2022, and signed by the President-General of AED, Dr. Daniel Nwibo (UK & Japan); Secretary,
Dr. Ogbonnaya Ngene (Canada); Europe Representative of AED, Dr. Martins Itumoh (UK); North America Representative of AED, Dr. (Rev) Justin EzeUgo (USA); Asia Representative of AED, Dr. Sunday Ucha (Saudhi Arabia) and the African Representative of AED,
Chief Monday Ogbule (South Africa), the group said it was horribly miffed by the “certain anti-people tendencies presently manifesting in Ebonyi State, under the supervision of Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, the state governor.”
“Of critical concern are the activities of EbubeAgu Security Network (ESN) a security network established and financed by the state governor. Ebonyi State has, without doubt, become a war zone under the drumbeat of Ebonyi State-sponsored agents. There have been consistent and reprehensible disregard to the rule of law, intimidation of political opponents, abduction and torture of innocent citizens, and flagrant stifling of the opposition parties in the state.
“It is in the face of these unspeakable potential threats that AED arise to alert Mr. President, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the legislature, all Nigerians and the whole world on these disturbing realities. As key partners in the Ebonyi project, we call for a drastic action of all parties copied here to forestall any unforeseen dangers in Ebonyi State,” the group said.
The group while listing what it described as some atrocious acts allegedly sanctioned or defended by Governor Umahi’s administration further lamented that, “Gov. David Umahi who was elected for a second term in 2019, is the third democratically elected governor of Ebonyi State. Unfortunately, the last few years have seen the governor and his government metamorphose into an anachronistic maximum ruler to the bewilderment of Ebonyians and non-Ebonyians alike. His activities are in utter confrontation to the letters of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“We have noticed that the Ebonyi State under Governor Umahi has no accommodation for divergent opinions. Offering a contrary opinion, or asking critical questions on policies and programmes of government, is tantamount to signing one’s death warrant, as such a person would be visited with an inexorable dose of vituperations and venom.”
The group in the petition demanded that Ebubeagu Security outfit be banned from participating in any activities related to the 2023 general election in Ebonyi State as their activities, according to them, have shown that they are primarily created to distort opposition political parties and opponents and urged President Buhari “to call the Ebonyi State Government to order, vis-a-viz terminating every anti-democratic action in the state, with respect to kidnapping, torture of citizens by ESN, and stifling of opposition political parties.”
Other demands made by the group include: “that Governor Umahi be made to enter a commitment to stop the further tormenting of political opponents, and to ensure a peaceful campaign and election ahead of the 2023 general election in the state.
“That the politicisation of security of lives and property by the Nigerian Police Force as seen when the transfer of Ebonyi CP, Aliyu Garba, was cancelled by IGP Usman Baba Alkali following the alleged lobby of Ebonyi traditional rulers and Governor David Umahi, be condemned. The IGP should redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Aliyu because of his known collaboration with the state government in undermining the opposition in the state.
“We request that the IGP, Usman Baba order a very diligent investigation with a tactical team under his direct supervision into the allegations of a torture chamber existing in Ebonyi State old Government House, Abakaliki with a view to freeing the incarcerated victims.
“We call on the National Human Rights Commission, the Public Complaints Commission, the Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre, and other Civil Societies to step in and lend their voices against these political malfeasance and attempts to defraud the 2023 electoral process in Ebonyi State. We also invite all civil and human rights societies to condemn the torture and general human rights violation currently been perpetuated by the Ebonyi State Government via the ESN outfit, and the conspiracy of the Nigerian Police Force in the process.
“The federal government should order an investigation into the involvement of Ebonyi State Police Command’s armoury in Effium war and the complicity of CP Garba Aliyu thereof, and prosecute CP Aliyu Garba alongside Inspector Chika Elom, James Agena and others involved in the conspiracy for killing over 5000 innocent people in Effium Community.
“The International Criminal Court should investigate and prosecute the out-going governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, for the unbaiting genocide which he foisted on Effium Community which led to the killing of over 5000 persons comprising children, women, youths, the aged, the physically-challenged and other vulnerable groups.
“We request that all embassies copied should place a travel ban on Engr David Umahi and his family until he and his cohort have answered to the crime of genocide committed in Effuim, Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.”
Reacting to the allegations, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr Chooks Oko, who described the allegations as baseless and unfounded, said the group lacked the capacity to stampede the State governor to renege on his security responsibility by levelling unfounded allegations against a formal civilian vigilante outfit, Ebubeagu, which is backed by an act of the State House of Assembly.
Oko said: “The group and their cohorts lack the capacity to stampede the State governor to renege on his security responsibility by levelling unfounded allegations against a formal civilian vigilante outfit, Ebubeagu, which is backed by an act of the State House of Assembly. It is a generally acknowledged fact in the State that the outfit has effectively complemented the efforts of the Police in drastically minimizing crime and criminal activities. Anyone or group calling for its proscription needs their cupboards properly examined. Good a thing, the Police has in several occasions confirmed the lawful handover of arrested suspects to them by Ebubeagu.
“We wish to further make it categorically clear to the group and their collaborators that Ebonyi State government under the able and concerned leadership of our democratic Governor will not fold its arms and watch them and others of their sort, throw the State into panic through fake news and unsubstantiated allegations.