*Hails resilient citizens

The Oganihu Ebonyi movement, has strongly condemned the alleged use of cannisters and gunshots by the Nigerian police to disrupt, albeit unsuccessfully, the peaceful solidarity march by thousands of Ebonyi residents in support of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Men of Ebonyi State Police Command allegedly acting on the orders from above, made attempt to stop the 1-million-man for the former Anambra Governor in Ebonyi State.

Oganihu Ebonyi in statement by its convener, Dr. Laz Ude Eze said the “This shameful and utterly disgusting act is a gross violation of the constitutional rights of citizens to a peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and their democratic rights of choice. We call on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter immediately and punish the erring officers who abdicated their lawful duty of protecting the citizens but chose to attack them.

“We wish to express our deep concern on the disappointing position of the Ebonyi State Government as captured in a statement by Governor David Umahi’s media aide. In the statement, the governor feigned ignorance of the unprofessional actions of the police but went ahead to justify it. It is saddening that the Umahi administration always aligns itself with any act of oppression against the good and law abiding people of the state.

“We salute and congratulate the courageous and resilient Ebonyi people who defied the attacks and went ahead with their peaceful march.

“We want to remind the law enforcement agents that in a participatory democracy, citizens have the right to assembly peacefully and show support to any candidate of their choice. The police has a responsibility to provide protection, and not to disperse them.

“As a group, we shall continue to promote good governance maka oganihu Ebonyi State.”