The lawmaker representing Ideato Federal Constituency, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the activities of the Imo State Police Command following the disruption of a civic reception organised in his honour.
Ugochinyere made the call on Tuesday evening during a reception hosted by residents of Ideato South Local Government Area. According to him, the organisers initially planned the event at Central School II, Aforukwu, Isiekenesi, before security operatives abruptly sealed the venue.
The lawmaker said heavily armed policemen and an Armoured Personnel Carrier blocked access to the school shortly before the event, forcing organisers to relocate the reception to the private residence of a former Peoples Democratic Party chairman in the area, Chief Bonny Ebili.
Imo Police Accused of Intimidation
Tension rose when Ugochinyere and his supporters arrived at the original venue and security operatives denied them entry. As a result, the gathering moved to Ebili’s residence to avoid further confrontation.
Condemning the action, Ugochinyere warned that such conduct threatens democratic values and civic freedom. He expressed concern over what he described as coordinated attempts by local government officials and security agencies to disrupt a peaceful public event.
“It is time for the Inspector-General of Police to look into the Imo Police Command,” Ugochinyere said. “We have suffered in their hands before, and we do not want to suffer again. If they channel this same energy toward fighting crime, Imo State will be safer.”
Lawmaker Warns Against Electoral Manipulation
Ugochinyere accused the Imo State government and the police command of sealing the venue without provocation. He said the incident reflected early signs of electoral intimidation ahead of future polls in the state.
He warned that the people of Ideato would resist any attempt to manipulate election outcomes in the constituency.
“It will be easier for them to write their will than to write election results here,” he said. “We have seen situations like this before, and they contributed to the collapse of democracy in 1983. We do not want that to happen again.”
Police Silent as Tension Persists
Efforts to reach the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, proved unsuccessful, as calls to his phone reportedly went unanswered.
Despite the incident, Ugochinyere assured supporters that he remains focused on delivering infrastructure and basic amenities to improve living conditions in Ideato Federal Constituency. He also pledged collective resistance against intimidation throughout the electioneering process.
