A group of Imo lawyers under the aegis of Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy has urged Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to stop what it described as personal attacks and public comments against Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
The group, in a statement issued on Friday by its secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere, said the ongoing exchanges involving Wike, Uzodinma and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum should not be allowed to turn Imo State into a battleground for political supremacy.
The lawyers maintained that the people of Imo State had the constitutional right to choose their leaders and determine their political future without intimidation, undue interference or external pressure.
Chukwunyere urged Wike to desist from what the group described as personal exchanges with the governor, saying political disagreements should focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts.
“We call on Minister Nyesom Wike to desist from further public comments concerning Governor Uzodinma,” she said.
The group also rejected what it described as attempts by individuals or political groups to create political tension through inflammatory exchanges.
“We reject attempts by any individual or political group to create political tension through inflammatory exchanges,” the statement said.
The lawyers said they would defend Uzodinma’s mandate and the constitutional rights of Imo people irrespective of political affiliation.
“We will defend Governor Hope Uzodinma, the mandate given to him by Ndi-Imo and the constitutional rights of Imo people, regardless of political affiliation,” the group said.
However, the lawyers urged Uzodinma to continue to operate within the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while calling on relevant political and legal institutions to intervene in legitimate disagreements through lawful channels.
