TheCable

The Imo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, to resign over his “failure” to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

There have been attacks on government facilities in Imo and other states of the south-east in recent times, leading to killing of security operatives.

Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, Charles Ugwuh, chairman of the PDP in Imo, said the PDP is alarmed over the worsening state of insecurity and the escalation of “militarisation of the state”.

“The governor should resign over his failure to protect lives and property. This has become very necessary in view of the evidence of lack of capacity of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to guarantee safety and security of lives and property of Imo people,” he said.

“Our party finds it too worrisome that on a daily basis, innocent civilians and security personnel are mowed down. Also, arson, murder and carnage have become the lot of the hitherto most peaceful state in Nigeria.

“The climax is the gruesome murder of Ahmed Gulak, a former member of PDP and aide to President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Ugwuh, who called on stakeholders in the state to work towards finding lasting solution to the security challenges, asked the federal government to set up a high-powered independent investigation into Gulak’s murder and bring the culprits to justice.

However, in his reaction to the PDP’s position, Oguwike Nwachukwu, chief press secretary to the governor, said Uzodimma is doing his best to repel the attacks.

While noting that “the state is far from being ungovernable”, the governor’s spokesman said the government has responded to the situation “promptly and precisely”.