Peter Obi prevented from holding meeting in his home town of Agulu by security forces

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has alleged that security forces prevented him from holding a meeting in his home town of Agulu yesterday.

Two weeks ago, Mr Obi was on the cusp of being elected vice president as the running mate to former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar but his party lost the elections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). With governorship and state houses of assembly elections holding today, the PDP had stepped up its campaigns in several states, where it had hoped to take control.

Although the governorship of Anambra State is not up for grabs, the PDP is hoping to gain control of the state house of assembly, which is currently dominated by Governor Willie Obiano's All Progressives Grand Alliance. Andy Orakwue, the president of the Agulu Town Union, said that Mr Obi had to leave the hall even before the meeting commenced because it had been called off citing intense pressure from security agencies.

Valentine Obienyem, Mr Obi's spokesman confirmed this saying: “His Excellency received many calls from security agencies on the meeting. Saddened by the violation of freedom of association contrary to the constitution, Mr Obi said they had not given him enough reasons not to meet with his people.

“He even went on to demand that they send their agents to monitor the meeting, which had nothing to do with politics but they would not listen, saying the order came from the government. Obi did not want to obey a clear illegality as happened when the same people tried to stop him from coming to the state on flimsy reasons but alas after much pressure, the subdued president-general had to call it off.

Also reacting to the development a group known as Good Governance Vanguards, said: “His Excellency Mr Peter Obi is an illustrious son of Agulu. We are proud of him and he has every right to hold meeting and associate with his people.”

In a statement signed by its chairman Maduagwu Eric-Kenny the group warned those interfering with Mr Obi’s fundamental right and freedom of association to desist from such illegality.