CUPP: Ugochinyere being victimised for opposing injustice in PDP

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has alleged that there is a plot to clamp down on Ikenga Ugochinyere, its spokesperson and member of the house of representatives.

Earlier in the month, the Imo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced the expulsion of Ugochinyere, a lawmaker representing the Ideato federal constituency in the house of representatives, from the party.

The state’s party chapter said the legislator was expelled over alleged misconduct and anti-party activities

However, the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP overruled the expulsion.

In a statement on Thursday, CUPP said there is a plot by some security agencies and some political group to silence Ugochinyere’s voice.

According to the group, Ugochinyere is being targeted with allegations of treason and judicial corruption.

CUPP said the allegations against Ugochinyere are “fabricated, concocted, and dramatic”.

“Allegations of bribery of judicial officers, criminal defamation, treason, and numerous other concocted criminal offences to silence him and blackmail him into abandoning his committed exposures of the political, legal and leadership atrocities to destabilize Rivers State, destroy PDP and the endless land grabbing allegations have been lined up against him,” CUPP said.

“The CUPP Secretary General High Chief Peter Ameh, CUPP co-spokesman comrade Mark Adebayo, and numerous other pro-democratic forces warned of dire consequences and reaction if any harm befalls the well-respected opposition spokesperson, insisting that the opposition families are mobilizing to confront these political buccaneers who think that the only way to shut up the incorruptible mouthpiece of the opposition is to defame him, tarnish his reputation and frame alarming allegations against him, saying that nothing on human earth can stop the opposition spokesperson from carrying out his Godgiving task to keep speaking truth to power.”

The group said the plan to shut down its spokesperson appears to be a direct response to his vocal opposition against attempts by some groups to hijack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and destroy opposition parties in the country.

“The CUPP is deeply concerned that these actions are part of a broader strategy to undermine Ugochinyere’s credibility and stifle dissent within the opposition ranks. The allegations being fabricated against him are unfounded and indicate the lengths some people will go to maintain their grip on power and silence critical voices,” the group said.

“In light of these developments, we are calling for an immediate investigation into these allegations and the conduct of the involved security agencies and their rich financier. It is imperative that justice prevails and that those who misuse their positions for political gain are held accountable. We urge all stakeholders in the democratic process, including civil society organizations, legal practitioners, and international observers, to monitor this situation closely.

“Furthermore, we are mobilizing our supporters nationwide for peaceful protests to draw attention to this injustice. These protests will serve as a platform for citizens to express their discontent with the ongoing manipulation of state institutions for political ends. We believe that democracy thrives when there is transparency and accountability, and we will not stand idly by while efforts are made to undermine these principles.

“We call upon all Nigerians who value democracy and justice to join us in this fight against tyranny and oppression. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear against any attempts at silencing dissent through intimidation or false accusations. Ikenga has gone this route before. He was charged with treason, arson, subversion, criminal defamation, terrorism, murder, and all sorts of heinous crimes just to keep him from winning his election and speaking out, yet he won the election in absentia and thrashed all the fabricated charges and still speaking truth to power. If Ikenga was not cowed, then he would not be cowed now. This plot is from the same textbook of intolerant dictators and, as usual, will fail.

“The opposition family is mobilizing and will stand in the court of public opinion, the court of legal battle, and on the streets to defend one of Nigeria’s shining lights for democratic reform.”