Renewed Hope group flares police persecution of Tinubu’s supporters in Imo

The Southeast chapter of Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria (RHGN), a pro-President Bola Tinubu group, has commenced an investigation into allegations that the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre in Abuja was used to harass and attempt to arrest supporters and campaigners for the President in Imo State.

The group’s reaction follows a court order issued by Hon. Justice Emeka Orafu of the Imo State High Court restraining the police and other parties covered by the order from arresting, harassing, inviting or contacting Prince Collins Opurozor, Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Electronic and Creative Media.

In a statement issued in Enugu and signed by its Media Officer, Dr. Chijioke Edeh, RHGN said the circumstances surrounding the case raised serious concerns about the treatment of pro-Tinubu voices in Imo and warranted a thorough investigation.

RHGN expressed concern that people who openly criticise President Tinubu and his administration could freely express their views, while individuals defending the President face intimidation and attempts to silence them.

The group said the situation, if established, would amount to an unacceptable assault on democratic freedom and the right of citizens to support the political leaders of their choice. It stressed that support for the President should not expose anyone to harassment or intimidation through security agencies, adding that the police must remain impartial and must not be drawn into partisan disputes.

The group said it would not treat the matter as an ordinary disagreement between political figures because of the implications for political participation and freedom of expression.

The development follows the escalating confrontation between Opurozor and Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, the Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for Imo East Senatorial District. Amadi had approached the Police Cybercrime Centre in Abuja in circumstances that Opurozor views as an attempt to gag him over his criticisms. The dispute culminated in the court order restricting police actions against Opurozor.

The Orlu Political Action Committee had also welcomed the ruling, describing it as a warning against using security agencies to settle political scores. RHGN said it was examining the circumstances surrounding the case to establish whether the police facility had been used to target individuals because of their political views or support for Tinubu.

The RHGN Southeast chapter warned that it would respond firmly to any established attempt to weaponise law enforcement against the President’s supporters. It said its investigation would seek to identify those responsible and ensure that credible evidence of wrongdoing was brought before the appropriate authorities.

“It is an affront to democratic values if critics of the President can speak freely while those defending him are subjected to intimidation to force them into silence. We will not overlook this matter. Where wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be held accountable,” the statement said.

The group emphasised that its intervention was intended to protect political freedom and lawful participation, not to shield anyone from legitimate police investigations.

RHGN called on the police authorities to ensure that the Cybercrime Centre and other units operate strictly within the law, free from political interference, and to comply fully with the court order.

It said no individual or political interest should be allowed to use the machinery of the state to intimidate opponents or suppress lawful expression.

The group added that its commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda would not be shaken by intimidation, while warning that any proven abuse of police powers would be pursued through the appropriate channels. It said the investigation would continue until the circumstances surrounding the case were clarified and any person found culpable was held accountable.