The Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight of the people and stop the undermining of the peoples’ will in the much-anticipated polls.
Achonu stated this while reacting to an alleged directive by the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led administration to hotel owners to reserve rooms for his guests during the November 11, election.
According to Achonu, the commissioner for Tourism, Barrister Jerry Egemba had in a letter to hotel managers in the state, titled “REQUEST FOR RESERVATION OF ALL YOUR HOTEL ROOMS FROM 4TH NOVEMBER -11TH NOVEMBER 2023” directed that the rooms be reserved no matter the amount.
He also faulted the governor’s attempt to provide hotel facilities for federal security operatives despite being a candidate in the forthcoming election, saying it negates the principle of fairness and neutrality.
Achonu, in a statement by the director, Media & Publicity of his campaign organisation, Chibuikem Diala said the Uzodimma-led government’s plan to subvert the will of the people in the election, adding that they are ready to elect a leader of their choice.
The statement read “On the other hand, it is further alleged that the hierarchy of the federal security agencies is deploying special forces to Owerri for the election. Sources within state government circles are claiming to have strong control over these security men, including their accommodation and logistics.
“Why would Governor Uzodimma, a candidate of the APC, be the one to provide accommodation for security personnel posted to oversee an election in which he is also a candidate? Where is the fairness?”
Achonu called on the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, the DSS, and all security agencies of the development which he said was likely to cause disharmony and a breakdown of law and order in the state.
He said “The head of security agencies should also clarify the role of Governor Uzodimma on the welfare and accommodation of security officers posted to the state for election duties.
Is it that Governor Uzodimma is providing accommodation to these officers or he is trying to use the blocked accommodation as bait to compromise them? Their response will help douse fears that Gov Uzodimma already has security agencies in his kitty.”
The Labour Party candidate expressed concerns that about N5billion will be spent on hotel accommodations alone, adding that it will deny other people access to such including election observers.
He said “The question that Imolites must ask Gov. Hope Uzodimma, as we approach the November 11 election is: Why do you want to spend 5B Naira of taxpayers’ money? Who are those that will occupy these hotel accommodations? Why this desperate, anti-democratic leadership style all in a bid to hold onto power? Must the blood of every Imolite flow because you want to be governor for another four years? Why not subject yourself to a free and fair contest, at least for once, and allow the people’s wishes to thrive?
“The widespread allegation that the government is already importing thugs from nearby APC states into the Imo State Capital ahead of the November 11 election to muzzle the opposition and rig the election is no longer a secret. Could this bulk booking and blocking of rooms be to accommodate these political thugs?”
Meanwhile, he alerted the public, Chief executive officers and managers of hotels of “possible government plan to use their facilities to hide criminal elements contracted to cause the breakdown of law and order in the state,” and urged them to “resist any form of coercion (subtle or forceful) to harbor those who are here to cause anarchy in the state.”
