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A detachment of policemen have taken over the Abia state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) ,in Umuahia.
The policemen prevented staff and visitors from entering the secretariat.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that the police presence at the secretariat is linked to the protest and counter protest by some members of the PDP who accused the state chairman of the party of hoarding forms for the 3 man delegate election in favor of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s anointed candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne.
The situation has polarized the party into two camps with those for and against Ikpeazu and Ikonne.
Those opposed to the Governor and his anointed candidate, want a free and fair 3 man delegate election, accusing the party chairman of hijacking the sale of forms. They want the national leadership of the party to cancel the 3 man delegate election and use the statutory delegates to conduct the PDP primaries.
Spokesman of Abia PDP, Mr. Fabian Nwankwo, who described the police presence as normal, also said the party decided to observe a one day rest and directed its officials and workers to stay at home.
But another chieftain of the party told Pointblanknews.com that the state PDP leadership invited the police to check the increasing protests at the secretariat following the persistent calls for the removal of the party chairman.