By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Campaign Organisation of Dr Chima Matthew Amadi, the Action Peoples Party (APP) Senatorial candidate for Imo East (Owerri Zone), has raised the alarm over alleged threats to the life of its principal, saying that it won't abandon his 2027 ambition despite attempts to eliminate him.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Amadi's Chief Press Secretary, Cajetan Duke, said that the Campaign Organisation had received credible information suggesting a possible plot to harm its principal ahead of the January 16, 2027 Senatorial elections.

The organisation called on the Imo State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the alleged threats, assess their credibility and take preventive measures to protect Amadi and other persons who might be at risk.

News Express recalls that the campaign council had earlier on September 8, 2026, raised similar alarm over an alleged plot to militarise Ngor Okpala LG, where Amadi hails from ahead of the forthcoming elections, describing the development as a threat to political tolerance, public peace and democratic participation.

Expressing concern that the reported threats had persisted despite its earlier warning, alleging that the latest information pointed to a possible coordinated attempt to intimidate, harm or eliminate Amadi in order to undermine his participation in the senatorial contest.

The campaign organisation, however, did not identify any individual or group allegedly behind the reported plot, saying its priority was the protection of human life and the preservation of democracy rather than an exchange of intelligence with those allegedly involved.

It attributed the development to the growing political profile of Amadi, across Owerri Zone, claiming that his sustained grassroots mobilisation, community engagements and message of purposeful representation had continued to attract support from youths, women, artisans, traders and religious leaders.

According to the statement, the campaign organisation believes that the candidate's increasing political visibility may have unsettled certain interests, but insisted that no political ambition or electoral calculation could justify threats to his life or attempts to frustrate his candidacy.

It also described the emergence of the APP as a viable political alternative in Imo State, against the backdrop of what it characterised as widespread public dissatisfaction with aspects of the incumbent administration's performance and policies.

The organisation maintained that political competition should be based on ideas, verifiable records, policy proposals and the confidence of the electorate rather than intimidation, violence or attempts to eliminate political opponents from the democratic process.

Reaffirming its principal's determination to remain in the race, the organisation declared: "No threat, intimidation or calculated attempt to instil fear will compel Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi to abandon his senatorial aspiration."

It described his decision to contest the election as a legitimate exercise of his constitutional and democratic rights, stressing that no individual, group or political interest had the authority to determine his political future through coercion or threats to his personal safety.

The statement emphasised that elections must be decided by the people through their votes and not predetermined through violence, intimidation or suppression of competing political interests.

It further argued that every qualified candidate had the right to seek public office in accordance with the law, while every eligible voter was entitled to support a candidate of their choice without fear.

Explaining its decision to make the alleged threats public, the organisation said it was neither an expression of fear nor an attempt to create unnecessary panic but a responsible response to information that raised legitimate security concerns.

It maintained that the timely disclosure of such information, alongside appropriate preventive action, could avert avoidable tragedy, adding that protecting human life was a collective responsibility.

The campaign organisation therefore urged the police, DSS and other security agencies to conduct discreet but thorough investigations, strengthen preventive security arrangements around politically exposed persons and ensure that all candidates could campaign without intimidation.

It also called for anyone found, after proper investigation, to have planned or facilitated political violence to be held accountable under the law.

Beyond the security agencies, the organisation appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political party leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders and civil society organisations to speak firmly against political violence and attempts to manipulate the electoral process through fear.

It said peaceful elections required the collective commitment of all stakeholders, urging political actors, particularly those with influence over their supporters, to exercise restraint, reject inflammatory conduct and resolve disagreements through lawful and democratic means.

The organisation also appealed to residents of Owerri Zone and Imo State at large to remain calm and vigilant, urging community leaders and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting lives and preventing any breach of public peace.

It called on anyone with relevant information about the alleged threats to cooperate with security agencies, while reiterating its commitment to peaceful political engagement, constructive dialogue and the pursuit of justice through lawful means.

The campaign organisation was, however, emphatic that its position should not be interpreted as an invitation to confrontation, retaliation or political hostility.

It said it had no intention of encouraging violence and would remain focused on presenting Amadi's vision, qualifications, experience and policy agenda to the electorate through issue-based campaigns and peaceful mobilisation.

The statement further stated that the candidate remained determined to pursue his senatorial ambition peacefully, courageously and within the law, insisting that the people of Owerri Zone must be allowed to decide their preferred representative freely and without fear.