The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened legal action against the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) if the latter refuses to withdraw the allegation that the opposition party is responsible for the spate of insecurity in the state.

The Publicity Secretary of PDP in the state’s chapter, Emenike Nmeregini, made the threat in Owerri in a statement on Saturday.

He said officials of the Hope Uzodimma-led government had at several times alleged that the opposition was sponsoring insecurity in the state.

The PDP challenged the administration to prove within one week that the opposition party was behind acts of violence in the state or tender an apology.

Nmeregini stated that the allegations against PDP were aimed at gagging the opposition party from holding the ruling government accountable to the people.

He said that PDP leaders are law-abiding and very much concerned about the well-being of the people of the state.

The opposition party submitted that the wave of violence in the state depicts lack of capacity by the APC government to guarantee the security of lives and property.

The statement read, “Uzodimma should be reminded that PDP leaders are law-abiding citizens who recognize the well-being of the people of the state as a top priority as demonstrated by the short-lived Rebuild PDP government led by Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

“Consequently, PDP leaders can never embark on actions capable of jeopardizing the safety and lives of Imolites.

“As a virile and credible opposition party, Uzodimma should be told that no amount of intimidation and repression can prevent Imo PDP and its leaders from pushing determinedly alternative views and holding him accountable to the people as provided by the law.

“The PDP is not unmindful of the serial attempts by Uzodimma–led Government to politicize the insecurity in the state in the face of the credibility and legitimacy it has had to contend with.

“But we must warn of the dangers in seeking to make political capital of the insecurity in the state for self-serving reasons,” the statement said.