Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State
‘Ebubeagu not a militia group,’ Umahi replies PDP
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Governor David Umahi has that said the Ebonyi State Command of the Ebubeagu South-East security outfit is not a militia group but a citizen-based neighborhood security established by the Law of the House of Assembly which has attracted widespread encomiums for their roles in assisting the Police and other conventional Security Agencies in stamping out insecurity in the State.
Umahi was reacting to a press statement by the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, alleging that the Governor was using the Ebubeagu Security outfit to suppress opposition in the State.
A statement signed by the Governor’s spokesman, Francis Nwaze, said, contrary to the allegations by the PDP, Ebubeagu Security outfit was not set up to witch-hunt the opposition but to provide alternative security to the lives and property of all citizens irrespective of political party affiliations.
Umahi insisted that those who fear or feel unease about the Ebubeagu Security outfit were probably those who meddle in criminalities who wouldn’t want their criminal escapades to be unearthed by the effervescent Security outfit.
“Governor David Umahi has been acclaimed the most tolerant administrator in Nigeria and so could not be said to be anthemic to the opposition. His Excellency acknowledges the fact that he is Governor of all irrespective of political parties, hence, giving all in the State the level playing field to operate.
“The arrest of the embattled Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Nwoba Chika Nwoba was not orchestrated by Governor Umahi as alleged by the opposition Party, rather, he was caught up for allegedly defaulting a valid law of the land.
“The Ebonyi State Government as it stands has no immunity to comment further on the detained Nwoba Chika Nwoba as his case is already subsisting in a Court of competent jurisdiction.
“Honourable Linus Okorie was declared wanted by the Security Council of the State based on a security report about his alleged nefarious activities which run foul of valid laws.”
The Governor further counseled the PDP “to channel their agitations properly through the Court process instead of castigating the man who has since moved on from the protection of the depleted Umbrella in the State to a very progressive pedestal of unending peace and oneness under the APC.”
