The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Abia, Dr Alex Otti, has alleged that the Abia State Government is plotting to attack and eliminate him.

Otti made the allegation today in Umuahia, saying that men in military uniform invaded his country home in Isiala Ngwa South on Tuesday night on a suspicious mission.

The alleged incident is coming a day after the Abia State Government had accused Otti of embarking on his campaigns with men in military uniform who were exhibiting physical force, intimidating and harassing innocent Abians.

Abia State Commissioner for Information, Dr ACB Agbazuere, at a press briefing, said the source of Otti’s soldiers were unknown, adding that the APGA standard bearer may have sewn military uniforms and procured arms to equip hoodlums to appear as military personnel to facilitate his dream of riging the governorship election. Agbazuere called on the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the source of the alleged Otti soldiers.

Earlier, the Abia State Government had accused Otti of training thugs who would be used to cause chaos and mayhem during the elections.

Otti, who dismissed these allegations as “laughable, ludicorous and a creation of a desperate group,” alleged that the government was after him because of his growing popularity among the electorate.

Narrating the invasion incident, Otti said: “Last (Tuesday) night, at 10:58 p.m., some men, numbering about 14 and dressed in military uniform, invaded my country home at Umuru Umuehim Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South local government area of Abia State.

“At the time of the invasion, I was on my way back from a campaign tour of Ukwa East and Ukwa West local government areas of the state.

“The invaders forced their way into my compound and proceeded toward my main house. On being accosted by one of the brave men guarding my compound, the leader, who identified himself as an ‘Army Captain’, said they wanted to see me and confirm if there were army men in my compound.

“After some argument, the ‘soldiers’ left my compound, promising to come back.”

Otti queried who sent the ‘soldiers’ to his house, why they should come by that odd hour, their mission and why the incident was happening less than 24 hours after the government issued a press statement alleging that I was keeping fake army men.

Otti, who denied working with unapproved security operatives, said it was unthinkable that he would use securitymen to intimidate the Abia electorate who have promised to vote for him massively during the February 28 governorship election.

He also said he could not indulge in actions that could truncate or disrupt an election he was divinely destined to win. He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to call the Abia State Government to order and prevail on it to desist from engaging in undemocratic acts that could affect the smooth conduct of the general election in Abia.

•Photo shows Alex Otti.

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