Federal lawmaker decries sealing of his political reception venue by police, soldiers

Hundreds of the lawmaker’s supporters and guests to the event, dressed in the Action Peoples Party insignias, clutching party flags, had thronged the venue for the event, but were denied entry.

The lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has frowned on the alleged sealing of a venue chosen by his constituents for a civic reception in his honour.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that security agents, including police and army, allegedly barricaded the entrance to Isiekenesi Primary School 11, Ideato South Local Government Area, which was the venue for the event.

Hundreds of his supporters and guests at the event, dressed in Action Peoples Party insignias, clutching party flags, had thronged the venue.

They were, however, denied entry by a joint team of security personnel from the police and the army, a development that sparked off tension in the area.

Addressing the supporters at a different location, Mr Ugochinyere described the action as an “unwarranted provocation by the Imo police and state government”.

“I want every Nigerian to see the level we have degenerated,” he said.

He emphasised that the people of Ideato were exercising their “constitutional right” to receive their representative.

According to him, his coordinators received a midnight text message revoking the use of all public facilities.

He alleged that the measure was a deliberate attempt to stop the civic reception.

He said that the event was initially scheduled for 20 December but was later postponed to 23 December.

“In spite of formal notifications, over 100 police personnel were sent from Owerri to block the venue.

“They have started again,” Mr Ugochinyere said, while recalling alleged attempts on his life in the past.

He urged the Imo State Government to focus on rebuilding primary schools, installing solar streetlights, and establishing health centres.

He said most of the existing social amenities in the area were provided through his personal efforts.

The federal lawmaker said that “freedom of association” was non-negotiable.

He, therefore, called on the inspector-general of police to investigate the activities of the police command in Imo to prevent a repeat of such illegal acts.

He also reported the “barbaric” destruction of his billboards, expressing concern that “such actions create unnecessary tension, given the current insecurity facing the state”.

“If you love my people, build the schools and fix the gully erosions,” he challenged the state government.

Mr Ugochinyere also sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the national security adviser, describing the current situation in Imo as “political recklessness” that threatened the nation’s democracy.

He commended his supporters for their courage, strength, solidarity and resilience, in spite of the “unwarranted provocation”.

A caution against political crisis

Earlier, the chairperson of the occasion, Bonny Ebili, said the reception was about “Ugochinyere’s personality” and not about any political party.

Mr Ebili cautioned against political crisis, saying “they only hinder the development of the community”.

Also speaking, Prince Opara of the Ideato South Political Forum praised Mr Ugochinyere’s legislative achievements.

Mr Opara assured the lawmaker of full support for a potential 2027 re-election.

When contacted about the development, the police spokesperson in Imo, Henry Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said he was not “officially briefed” and therefore was unaware of the role the police played at the reception venue.