The Abia State Government yesterday said it had received information that “members and supporters of a major opposition party in the state, having lost out in the Appeal Court ruling and the other rulings of the State Election Petition Tribunal” on Monday, “are planning to cause mayhem and disturb the peace in the two metropolis of Umuahia and Aba” today “on the occasion of the final adoption of written addresses by the parties involved in the gubernatorial election contest.”

Godwin Adindu, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, said in a statement issued in Umuahia: “They have planned to import thugs into the state for the purpose of this violent demonstration and instigate members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) against the peace loving people of Abia.

“Their aim is to create an atmosphere of pandemonium and thereby portray the state as being in crisis over the rulings that favoured the ruling party, PDP.

“Government is therefore warning these misguided elements not to dare the might of power as security agencies have been well authorised to deal decisively with anybody or group who tries to foment trouble or cause chaos in order to disturb the peace in the state.

“Government is also using this medium to appeal to the citizens to remain law abiding and to resist the temptation of being deceived and lured into any form of deviant acts by these detractors.”

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.