Daily Independent Online.
*
Monday,July 19, 2004.
Wabara raises alarm
on plot to harm PDP leaders
By Adetutu
Folasade-Koyi,
national
assembly
correspondent, Abuja
Threats of violence again hangs over the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with the Senate President, Adolphus
Wabara, saying that security reports indicate that there was a plot to disrupt
a fact-finding visit of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to
Abia State this week.
Wabara, who is also from the state, pointed
fingers at top government officials. He said they are plotting a bloody attack
on the PDP NWC if it goes ahead with its mission.
In a statement in Abuja on Sunday, the
senate president said the plan to sabotage the visit arose from the protracted
political crises in the state.
“Certain individuals and
organisations are perfecting plots to disrupt the fact-finding visit of members
of the NWC of the PDP to Abia State this week.
“Security reports made mention of
plans to inflict bodily harm on these national leaders of the PDP and members
of their entourage once they arrive the state,” Wabara said.
He added that, “These plots are being
hatched and funded by persons who are currently profiting or stand to profit
from the political crisis in Abia, particularly the planned impeachment of the
state’s Deputy Governor, Chief Chima Nwafor, and the refusal of the state
government to recognise a number of duly elected local government chairmen and
councillors in the state, having been cleared by the national headquarters of
the PDP.
“Millions of Abians who voted
overwhelmingly for the PDP during the elections to all tiers of government are
looking up to the national leadership of the party for speedy and amicable
resolution of these touchy issues.”
Wabara implored the PDP national leaders
“not to yield to blackmail or intimidation,” but urged the fact-finding
team to continue with the planned visit this week, while calling on the police
and other security agencies to endeavour to nip the ugly plot in the bud.
