The Imo State government has issued a strong warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating it will not tolerate any form of violence in the state. The warning came from Declan Emelumba, the State Commissioner for Information, Strategy, and Public Orientation, in response to a recent PDP statement following the local government elections.

Emelumba accused the PDP of planning to incite violence, drawing parallels with the unrest in Rivers State, where newly elected local government officials were attacked. He noted, “It’s suspicious that just 24 hours after the Rivers incident, the PDP warned local government chairmen in Imo to avoid their offices. This poses a serious threat that requires urgent attention from security forces.”

While acknowledging the PDP’s right to raise concerns, Emelumba stressed that threats of violence would not be tolerated. He pointed out that the local government chairmen were sworn in after a legitimate election and raised concerns about the timing of the PDP’s warning, which came shortly after the Rivers incident.

Emelumba criticized the PDP’s October 8 statement as contradictory, accusing the party of being unclear about whether elections occurred or their candidates should have won. He urged the party to seek legal redress rather than incite violence.

The government also denied allegations that local government chairmen were coerced into submitting resignation letters and rejected claims that Governor Hope Uzodimma diverted local government funds for a state electricity project, asserting that the project was handled transparently.

Emelumba concluded by describing the PDP as unprepared for the elections and advised them to follow President Tinubu’s suggestion to take their grievances to court instead of inciting unrest.