Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the November 11 governorship election in Imo state, Attan Achonu has accused the police of attacking him and his convoy while on his way to church in the Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.
The LP flag bearer told journalists that he was at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Obibiezena community to attend its synod when the dire incident happened.
He alleged that policemen with thugs attacked him and prevented him and his convoy from gaining access to the church premises.
Achonu said that the policemen told him that he would not be granted entry into the church premises because the state governor, Hope Uzodimma was at the church service.
Achonu said that he confronted the policemen and questioned why he should be stopped from worshipping God in his state, but the policemen together with some thugs attacked his convoy and shot at his vehicles.
Achonu said, “Today, I was attacked by policemen together with thugs working for the APC. Myself and my supporters were attacked and gunshots were fired at us. We were at St. Peter’s Anglican Church at Obibiezena in Owerri North to attend a church service.
“I was duly invited by the church to attend its synod but policemen stationed Armored Personnel Carriers and thugs. They said I was not going to be allowed to enter the church, that the governor was worshipping there.
“I confronted them and asked them why I should be stopped from worshipping God in my own state simply because the governor is there. I called the Director of the DSS who called the state Commissioner of Police who spoke to one officer Ola, who literally disobeyed the Commissioner of Police. A lower-ranking officer disobeying a Commissioner of Police! I have not seen this one before.
“I confronted them but my wife held me and I was with a woman, I had to obey her. We turned our vehicles and went home. They attacked my vehicle and shot at them. If not that my cars were bulletproof, there would have been casualties.
“I want to put the President of Nigeria and all Nigerians on notice about what Hope Uzodimma is using the police and thugs to do in Imo State. They want to annihilate us but I am more emboldened to lead this change. I am leading the change to liberate my people.
“Imo people should come out and vote Labour Party and defend their votes so that we will take back our state. I am happy that everybody has embrassed Labour Party in Imo State and we are working towards having the Imo State of our dreams.”
However, when contacted, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, said that the police didn’t attack Achonu or his vehicles.
Okoye said, “Nobody attacked the Labour Party candidate. We only advised him not to campaign in the area at the same time the APC candidate was campaigning in the area to avoid a clash of interests and possible breakdown of law and order in the state.
“The Labour Party candidate didn’t inform us about his campaign in the area but the APC candidate informed us and we were there to provide security. The Commissioner of Police advises political players in the state to stop misinforming the public.
“This misinformation is capable of escalating things which may lead to breakdown of law and order in Imo state.”
 governorship candidate for the November 11 governorship election in Imo state, Attan Achonu has accused the police of attacking him and his convoy while on his way to church in the Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.){kind=link}