Ahead of the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan for the South East zonal rally of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, holding in Enugu today, armed men have stormed the Enugu residence of chairman of the party for Udi Local Government Area, Mr. Uche Ogbodo, removing his private car and a PDP bus in his custody.
Ogbodo, who spoke with Vanguard from his hide-out, yesterday, said he had just returned from the court when armed men numbering about 12 entered his compound in the GRA area of Enugu and were trying to force their way into his house.
Ogbodo, who said he was inside the house, noted that when they could not gain entry because of the iron doors in the house, the invaders took the keys of his private car, a KIA-RIO with Reg. No. AGW 35 AAA, drove it away and used a towing van to tow the PDP bus from his compound.
He was removed from office in the heat of recent party crisis with the party in the state.
The party chairman said he had reported the matter to the police, alleging that two policemen in uniform were among those that attacked his house.
He said he had already gone into hiding and alleged that the attack on him was part of efforts to keep him away from today’s zonal rally of his party.
“They know that I am the authentic PDP chairman in Udi Local Government Area even when they have refused to obey the orders of the national executive of the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Vice Chairman of the party, South East zone, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), said, yesterday, that the grand rally in Enugu, tagged “Unity Rally,” would be a platform by PDP faithful to consolidate the grip of the party in the zone as part of efforts to reclaim the two states lost to All Progressives Congress, APC, and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in 2015 general elections.
In a statement, Akobundu said the rally “also marks the celebration of the party’s successful and people- oriented governance by governments of the three PDP states and the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration at the centre.”
The zonal party chairman said that the President would be accompanied to the rally by notable personalities as Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo, National Chairman PDP, Adamu Muazu, Board of Trustee Chairman of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, Senate President, David Mark, Chairman of South East Governor’s Forum and Abia Governor, Theodore Orji as well as his brother-governors of Enugu (Sullivan Chime) and Ebonyi (Martin Elechi).
