The Anambra State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused the state government of complicity in the killing of a deposed traditional ruler in the state, Chief Alex Edizieuno.
In a press conference on Sunday, the state chairman of APC and the Director General of Andy Uba Campaign Organisation, Chief Basil Ejidike and Honourable Paul Chukwuma respectively, described the monarch’s death as “political killing”.
They said,” We are here with a heavy heart. We are here to address the press on a very sad event that took place in our dear state on Friday morning. We woke up to the devastating news of the assassination of Chief Alex Edozieuno who until his death was the traditional ruler of one of the communities in Aguleri before he was dethroned by the state government sometime last year.
“Why this death is of major concern to us is because we consider it a politically motivated killing and we wonder why any citizen of this country, no matter how highly placed could indulge in such act.
“Recall that a few weeks ago, the late traditional ruler joined our political party, the APC in a public function. His reception into the party took place in his hometown and was attended by many Anambrarians.
“We wonder why, especially against the backdrop of the incessant threats the members of the APC are receiving from the sitting APGA government. We have been receiving death threats; threats to our families from highly placed individuals in APGA including a close female relation to the governor and a member of the House of Representatives.
“We are calling on the law enforcement agencies – the police, the DSS to quickly move into action and conduct a proper investigation since the threats have now started translating to deaths.
“Our resolve to salvage Anambra State as stakeholders in the state remains unshaken. Recently, it might interest you to note that some members of APGA, six state Assembly members joined our party.
“And each and every one of them has been receiving threats from the wife of the governor and Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe. And we wonder whether these individuals are above the law.
“We could have swept these threats under the carpet but with the way and manner Chief Alex was killed, a few kilometres away from his home, we wonder why we should be in this situation in Anambra State.
The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba described APC as a group of politicians allergic to peace.
Adinuba said “Rather than politicise the ex-monarch’s death, the APC should provide whatever it has about the crime to the Nigeria Police Force. After all, the APC is the Federal Government party which controls not just the police force but also the Department of State security.
“It would seem, however, that the APC in Anambra is unable to reconcile itself to the new order in the state. It is guilty of what psychologists call projection. Because its prominent members have a well-established record of violence, they assume that the leaders of other parties have the same proclivity towards violence and murder.
A statement by Anambra Police Command said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the victims, one Mr Alex Edozieuno, 62yrs old, a former traditional ruler of Nkpunado Community Anambra East LGA and his driver Chukwuemeka (other names yet to be identified) were attacked and killed by suspected gunmen by 10am (on Friday) along Ezu bridge, Otuocha, in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
