A non-partisan socio-cultural group, Ideato Peoples Assembly (IPA) on Sunday called on Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to immediately investigate the recent attack on a political rally in Ntueke town, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State organized by Hon Ikenga Ugocninyere, the member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja.
The rally by Ugochinyere was disrupted by thugs bearing dangerous arms who wounded many people.
IPA, in a strongly worded statement, also urged both Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and President Bola Tinubu to protect the right of every Nigerian to free assembly as provided for in the constitution of Nigeria.
According to the statement by IPA President General, Dr Vin Igwilo, and Secretary, Tochi Ejiofor, the group said: “The Ideato Peoples Assembly (IPA), Abuja — an apolitical, socio-cultural organization – rises with one voice to condemn in the strongest possible terms the shameful and barbaric attacks on a political rally held at Ntueke, Ideato South Local Government Area, on 27th April 2026.
“For this reason, we call on the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma to guarantee every Imo citizen a safe and conducive environment to exercise their democratic rights without fear. We equally call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to urgently call all relevant parties to order, and also the Inspector General of Police, to investigate the Ntueke incident and ensure full accountability.
“That a peaceful gathering of our people — men, women, and youth — was violently disrupted by suspected sponsored thugs, with tear gas fired and live ammunition discharged on unarmed citizens, is a deeply troubling assault on democracy, humanity, and the soul of Ideato Nation.”
Analysing the attack further, IPA said that what happened at Ntueke is not politics but criminality dressed in political clothing insisting that the right to peaceful assembly and association is not a favour granted by any government but a fundamental right, constitutionally guaranteed under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“No individual, group, or government holds the authority to violate that right through intimidation, violence, or the deployment of armed thugs against innocent citizens. The Ideato Peoples Assembly is unwaveringly aligned with the Ideato people. The victims of the Ntueke attacks are our people. Their pain is our pain. Their rights are our sacred responsibility”, group insisted.
According to the statement, “Silence in the face of such injustice would be a betrayal of everything this Assembly stands for. A government that cannot guarantee security of life and properties to its own citizens has forfeited its moral authority to govern.
“To all political actors in Ideato Nation, we issue this solemn charge: pursue your ambitions with ideas, integrity, and respect for the people — not with thugs, bullets, and bitterness. No seat is worth the blood of our people,” IPA insisted.
