Tension is gripping Imo State, as the people await the verdict of the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri which has adjourned indefinitely. The tribunal said it would inform stakeholders on when it would deliver its judgment on the petition instituted against the election of Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Progressive People’s Alliance by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, the expelled governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in last April’s election.

To worsen the situation, Chief Ohakim in a state broadcast penultimate Saturday, said his government had uncovered a plot to assassinate him “during a rally to receive their previously expelled kingpin back to the party”.

“Let no one test the will of this government,” Ohakim warned, adding: “We have at our disposal a security report that criminal elements have planned to assassinate me, your governor, kidnap some very important personalities in the state and burn down government property with the hope that a state of emergency would be declared in Imo State.

“For the purpose, they have recruited hooligans and dangerous militants from outside the state and inaga – motorcycle riders – from Abakaliki and Uyo to unleash violence and blame it on hoodlums who they would claim hijacked their rally.”

Ohakim alleged that the group planned to destroy every government billboards at Sam Mbakwe airport as well as attack and destroy private buildings and cars, even as they also planned to destroy all the street lights on Wetheral road in the capital city.

The broadcast further charged the atmosphere in the state.

The magazine reliably gathered that the alleged plot was a veiled reference to the planned rally by PDP in the state to welcome back Araraume into its fold. Araraume was expelled by the party for going to the Supreme Court to challenge his replacement after emerging candidate at the party primaries.

But Dr. James Okoroma, Chairman, Publicity Committee of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume’s Destiny Campaign Organisation, issued a statement describing Ohakim’s broadcast as a deception strategy to earn public sympathy. He called on Araraume’s supporters to remain calm and refuse to be provoked. “We are aware of how Governor Ohakim intimidated the Imo State Commissioner of Police and pressured him into banning the rally. This sabotage was also recreated when the Imo State government procured a ‘Jankara’ injunction to stop the last congress of the PDP,” said Okoroma.

The police commissioner, Mr. Donald Iroha, however, denied being used by anybody to disrupt any event. “I am a federal officer, how can a governor of a state use me to stop a rally? It is not true. I did the right thing at the right time and will always do so.”

As the accusations continue to fly indiscriminately, one thing is certain: Imo State is literally sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

– Reported by Jude Orji.