…accuse police unit of abducting constituents, as he appeal to IGP, PSC to intervene
By Gloria Ikibah
Member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has accused some officers attached to the Tiger Base and Violent Crime Response Unit of the Imo State Police Command of abducting and torturing his constituents in what he described as an attempt to implicate him in criminal activities. 
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the lawmaker alleged that some of the detained individuals were being forced to make statements linking him to terrorism, gun-running and murder.
He said: “Imo police are abducting my constituents and torturing them in a bid to frame me for frivolous criminal allegations, terrorism, gun-running and murder,” Ugochinyere alleged.
“They are creating fear and uncertainty in Imo State and attempting to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the elections.”
The federal lawmaker claimed that the activities of some officers attached to the controversial Tiger Base unit had turned the police structure into what he described as a tool for political persecution.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to intervene urgently and investigate the officers involved, particularly those allegedly linked to unlawful arrests, extortion and torture.
Ugochinyere also raised concerns over what he described as a coordinated attempt to deregister opposition political parties through the courts ahead of the 2027 elections.
He mentioned parties including the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Peoples Party and the Zenith Labour Party as groups allegedly targeted in the legal action.
According to him, the move was aimed at shrinking the political space and frustrating opposition candidates ahead of future elections.
“What kind of anarchy do you want this country to go through?” he asked.
“You cannot deregister political parties a few months to elections and expect Nigerians to fold their arms. You are playing with fire”, he added.
The lawmaker warned that any attempt to eliminate opposition parties through judicial means could create political instability and undermine democratic participation.
He, however, commended the Court of Appeal for suspending proceedings in the case seeking the deregistration of some political parties.
Ugochinyere praised the appellate court judges for granting a stay of proceedings against a Federal High Court ruling he claimed had raised serious constitutional concerns.
“The Constitution is clear. Once a party wins even one councillorship seat, deregistration does not arise,” he stated.
He cited Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution, maintaining that parties which had secured elective positions could not legally be deregistered.
The lawmaker also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission not to challenge a recent Federal High Court judgment relating to aspects of the electoral timetable, warning that further legal disputes could heighten political tension ahead of the elections.
“The country cannot afford confusion at this critical moment.
“Appealing this judgment will create tension, uncertainty and doubts about the credibility of the elections,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Ugochinyere appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, security agencies and the National Judicial Council to protect democratic institutions and prevent what he described as attempts to weaken opposition politics through intimidation and exclusion.
“Democracy is about participation, not exclusion.
“You don’t claim to be popular while running around disqualifying opponents, deregistering parties and framing critics with criminal allegations”, he said.
