Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, has rejected allegations by the state chapter of the Tinubu Support Group that he was recruiting and mobilising youths to attack supporters of President Bola Tinubu and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The allegation, made by the Tinubu Support Group, has been dismissed by Emetu’s office as false, baseless and unfounded.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Cyril Chukwudi Eke Mba, the Deputy Governor said he had no involvement in recruiting, mobilising, arming or organising youths to attack Tinubu supporters, APC members or any other individual or group.
Emetu’s office challenged the Tinubu Support Group and its spokesperson, Enyinna Nwigwe, to provide evidence backing the allegations, including the dates and locations of the alleged recruitment meetings, identities of youths allegedly recruited and the names of those who attended the meetings.
The office also demanded evidence linking the Deputy Governor to the alleged activities, details of any weapons purportedly procured or distributed, as well as any audio, video, photographic, documentary or electronic evidence supporting the claims.
It further requested the full context and source of any statement allegedly attributed to Emetu concerning President Tinubu or his son, Seyi Tinubu.
The Deputy Governor’s office called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to invite the Tinubu Support Group spokesperson to substantiate the allegations and submit whatever evidence he claims to possess.
Emetu, according to the statement, is prepared to cooperate fully with any lawful investigation aimed at establishing the facts.
The office maintained that political engagement and mobilisation should not be portrayed as preparation for violence without supporting evidence, and called for responsible political discourse, respect for the rule of law and peaceful democratic engagement in Abia State.
The Tinubu Support Group had earlier alleged that youths were being mobilised in parts of Abia, particularly in Abia North, and called on security agencies to investigate the claims.
The Deputy Governor’s office said Emetu would remain focused on his official responsibilities and continue to engage with Abians peacefully and participate in lawful political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On what action he intended to take over the allegations, Emetu simply said: “This is the best I will be doing for now.”
