The Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo state, Attan Achonu, has accused the police of attacking him and his convoy while on his way to church.

Achonu said the incident happened on Sunday in the Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.

He claimed that policemen and thugs prevented him from entering the church premises because the state governor, Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressive Congress, was at the church service.

Achonu while speaking to journalist after the incident on Sunday said he was shot at by the policemen and his vehicles were riddled with bullets.

He also said that the commander of the Tiger base unit of the state police command led the charge against him and refused to allow him to enter the church even when the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Berde, spoke to him on the phone.

“Today, I was attacked by policemen together with thugs working for the APC. Myself and my supporters were attacked and gunshots were fired at us. We were at St. Peter’s Anglican Church at Obibiezena in Owerri North to attend a church service.

“I was duly invited by the church to attend its synod but policemen stationed Armored Personnel Carriers and thugs. They said I was not going to be allowed to enter the church, that the governor was worshipping there.

“I confronted them and asked them why I should be stopped from worshipping God in my own state simply because the governor is there. I called the Director of the DSS who called the state Commissioner of Police who spoke to one officer Ola, who literally disobeyed the Commissioner of Police. A lower-ranking officer disobeying a Commissioner of Police! I have not seen this one before.

“I confronted them but my wife held me and I was with a woman, I had to obey her. We turned our vehicles and went home. They attacked my vehicle and shot at them. If not that my cars were bulletproof, there would have been casualties.

“I want to put the President of Nigeria and all Nigerians on notice about what Hope Uzodimma is using the police and thugs to do in Imo State. They want to annihilate us but I am more emboldened to lead this change. I am leading the change to liberate my people.

“Imo people should come out and vote Labour Party and defend their votes so that we will take back our state. I am happy that everybody has embraced Labour Party in Imo State and we are working towards having the Imo State of our dreams,” he said.

The police spokesperson in Imo state, Henry Okoye, denied attacking Achonu or his vehicles. He said that the police only advised Achonu not to campaign in the area while the APC candidate was campaigning to avoid a clash of interests and possible breakdown of law and order.

He also said that the Labour Party candidate didn’t inform the police about his campaign in the area.