The police was reported to have issued a stern warning to the two factions parading themeselves as the authentic leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in Imo State.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mazi Chris Ezike, gave the warning when he met leaders of the two factions in the party in the State, and this must be commended, to forestall breakdown of law and order.
Because it is a well known fact that the Barr. Peter Ezeobi led Imo APGA, and another faction led by David Iwuagwu have continued to lay claim to the leadership of the State chapter of the party.
The Police Commissioner was quoted to have warned that he will not tolerate any form of political rascality in whatever guise capable of truncating the peace and security of the State.
The meeting was sequel to a petition written by one Barr. Sylvia Iwejuo against the opening of a factional office of the party in the State located at 101 Okigwe Road, Owerri.
The Police chief however erred when he reportedly started quoting the reports of INEC to decide by himself which is the authentic faction of the party in the state.
The commissioner was quoted as saying that “in accordance with the reports of INEC and other relevant organs as well as the national secretariat of the party, APGA has only one office led by Barr. Peter Obi .”
Who is the police to decide which is the genuine office of the party, and which office is fake?
Intra party squabbles are not new in Nigeria and the police must be reminded of its duties during election.
We have had internal party crisis subsist even in the face of court judgments and party pronouncements. This is enough to warn the police that it does not belong to any party and have no powers to determine which leadership is right or wrong at any point in time. The different factions knows the appropriate quarters to go to and get authenticated.
If another faction not recognized by the party continues to operate they are on their own and whatever they do will come to nought so long as they maintain law and order, this is where police should be interested not to jump into the crisis arena by taking sides in a disagreement between two factions.
The CP was said to have warned Iwuagwu, his group and sponsors to desist from fomenting troubles because he has no time to tolerate any form of unnecessary political distractions in the state now and in future, adding that APGA is one and there is no faction in the state and at the national level.
This statement must be condemned and the police called to order and reminded of their responsibilities and boundaries ahead of the 2019 polls.
IMO APGA CRISIS: Police must be called to order
