ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Unknown hoodlums in the early hours of Sunday attacked the Imo State secretariats of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), and the neighbouring All People’s Party, (APP), in Owerri, destroying party billboards and attempting to break into the premises before fleeing.
The incident reportedly occurred around 3 a.m. at the party offices located along Okigwe Road after security personnel on duty raised an alarm, forcing the attackers to abandon the operation.
The latest attack comes only days after a meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Owerri Municipal was reportedly disrupted by suspected thugs, leaving several participants injured.
Confirming the incident, Imo State Chairman of the YPP, Michael Anyanwu, said security guards contacted him shortly after unidentified men arrived in an unmarked Toyota Sienna vehicle and vandalised the party’s signboards.
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He alleged that the attackers attempted to gain access to the secretariat but fled when the guards alerted nearby residents and security operatives.
Anyanwu described the attack as an assault on democratic values, questioning why opposition parties should be targeted over what he described as ordinary party identification signs.
“These are not campaign billboards. They simply identify our party office. I don’t understand why anyone would want to destroy them. Are opposition parties no longer free to operate in Imo?” he asked.
He disclosed that the matter had been reported to the police, expressing confidence that security agencies would identify those responsible.
The YPP chairman also maintained that the party would continue its activities within the ambit of the law and would not be intimidated by acts of violence or political intimidation.
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As of the time of filing this report, officials of the APP had yet to issue any official statement on the attack.
Meanwhile, the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), denied any connection with the incident, insisting it had no reason to intimidate opposition political parties.
Vanguard reports that in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, the ruling party suggested that preliminary indications pointed to the possibility that the incident may have been orchestrated.
The APC maintained that it remained committed to democratic ideals, stressing that political competition should be based on ideas, public service and lawful campaigns rather than violence or acts capable of creating public anxiety.
The party urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, identify those behind the attack and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.