By Onuchukwu Hamilton
Sequel to the publications where the Peoples’ Democratic Party frowned at the verbal expression of the Orlu Local Government Chairman and demanded for his immediate arrest , the People of Orlu LGA have described the PDP action as a slur, an open disrespect to the illustrious sons and daughters of Orlu LGA , which must be applied to discredit the political interest of PDP in the 2027 general elections if the Party fails to show remorse and tender apologies to both the council Chairman and Orlu people at large.
In a Press Statement signed by the President of Orlu Diaspora Elites Assembly ( ODEA) Chief Dr. Okolie Anderson , the association stated that when they saw the said publication asking for the prosecution of the LGA Chairman over a filtered expression, they quickly requested for the comprehensive clip of what the LGA Chairman said and its event.
According to ODEA ” We carefully examined the clips showing what the LGA Chairman said when he came to officially unveil a gift to an indigene, built by the Federal House member for Orsu , Orlu and Oru East. That they examined and concluded as follows; the Chairman never mentioned that the opposition parties, will never be allowed to legitimately exercise its political rights within Orlu LGA. “That the Chairman , never issued any verbal threat nor intends to issue one to the opposition parties. That the LGA Chairman , is a learned gentle priest of the most high GOD, who has never been linked to issues of threat and human rights violation.
The Orlu Diaspora Elites Assembly ( ODEA) advised that the Nigeria Police Force cannot rely on a manipulated evidence, spliced voice, added and removed words. ” That the crime of grave threats, under the Revised Penal Code ( RPC) requires more than the mere hyperbolic expressions as courts have long recognized that language must be examined in its entirety — its context, purpose, surrounding circumstances, and the intent behind it. ” That true threats are those statements where the speaker means to communicate a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group”.
You may also recall that the ADC party reportedly attempted to explore the same speech from the LGA Chairman as an attack base, but the Chairman quickly debunked their claims through a constructively itemized Press Release and maintained that his speech Was taken out of context, reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful and Inclusive Politics in Orlu
” The Executive Chairman of Orlu Local Government Area, Hon. Pastor Chris Mbarie JP, has dismissed recent allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Imo State Chapter, accusing him of threatening opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman described the allegation as misleading, politically motivated and a clear misrepresentation of the context and substance of his remarks, which were contained in a video currently circulating on social media.
According to the Chairman, at no point did he threaten to deal with, attack, or prevent any opposition political party from operating in Orlu Local Government Area.
Rather, he was speaking confidently about the preparedness, popularity and electoral strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in view of what he described as the remarkable achievements recorded by his administration within a relatively short period.
Hon. Chris Mbarie reaffirmed that Orlu is open to every political party and every eligible citizen, and that his administration has no intention whatsoever of preventing any political party from campaigning, mobilizing supporters or participating in the electoral process.
He stated that the opposition remains free to come into Orlu, campaign, present its candidates and convince the people with its programmes and policies.
The Chairman maintained that the APC’s confidence going into future elections is not borne out of intimidation, but from the party’s belief that its performance in government has already spoken loudly to the people of Orlu.
He pointed to interventions across several sectors, including infrastructure, education, empowerment, healthcare, security, water supply, agriculture, youth development and other areas of grassroots governance.
Under the present administration, the people of Orlu have witnessed projects and interventions designed to directly impact their daily lives, while various empowerment programmes have also been introduced to improve the economic well-being of indigent residents, women, youths and other vulnerable members of the community.
The Chairman therefore explained that when he expressed confidence that the APC will sweep the forthcoming elections, it was political confidence based on performance and public acceptance, not a threat against opposition parties.
“If we have served the people well, we have every right to be confident that the people will reward our performance at the polls,” the Chairman said.
He further challenged opposition parties to match the APC’s record with their own programmes, policies and achievements rather than attempting to create political controversy around statements taken out of context.
“CONTEXT OF THE VIRAL VIDEO”
The Chairman also clarified that another important portion of the video has been deliberately ignored in the interpretation being circulated by the ADC.
The remarks were made during the opening of the house built by Hon. Canice Moore Nwachukwu Omeogo for Chief Ofeke, where the Chairman was speaking to the people of Orlu on the need to be careful not to become instruments for destroying individuals whom God has lifted.
The Chairman’s message was essentially one of wisdom, caution, peace and responsibility.
He advised the people against allowing themselves to be used to bring down another person, stressing that actions taken against a person who has been elevated by God could eventually have consequences for those who participate in such actions.
Rather than acknowledging this broader message, the ADC, according to the Chairman, extracted a particular portion of his political remarks and attempted to construct an entirely different narrative around it.
”The Chairman described the ADC’s interpretation as an example of how a statement can be deliberately removed from its context and presented to the public in a manner completely different from the speaker’s intention.
He said the video itself provides sufficient context for anyone who watches it objectively to understand that he was expressing confidence in the APC’s political strength and discussing the party’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
“There is a difference between political confidence and political intimidation,” the Chairman stated.
“Having confidence that your party will win an election because of its performance is not a threat to the opposition. It is an expression of political conviction. The opposition is equally free to express its own confidence and go to the people to seek their votes.”
The Chairman further stated that the APC’s confidence in Orlu is rooted in the fact that the administration has deliberately prioritize people-oriented governance.
From empowerment initiatives to infrastructure development, education, youth and women development, security interventions and other grassroots programmes, the administration, he said, has continued to focus on projects that directly affect the people.
He therefore urged opposition parties to engage the people on the basis of issues, policies and alternative solutions, rather than relying on allegations designed to create unnecessary tension.
“If another political party believes it can convince the people of Orlu, it should come and campaign. It should tell the people what it intends to do. It should present its candidates and programmes. Nobody is stopping them.
“But we will also tell the people what we have done, what we intend to do and why we believe they should continue to trust the APC.”
Hon. Chris Mbarie reiterated his commitment to peace and stability in Orlu and called on politicians across party lines to avoid statements and actions capable of unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere.
He emphasized that elections should be about service, ideas, competence, character and the confidence of the people, not fear or manufactured controversy.
The Chairman assured all political parties and their supporters that Orlu remains open to peaceful political activities, provided such activities are conducted within the bounds of the law.
He also urged the people of Orlu to carefully examine political statements before accepting them as facts, especially when such statements are derived from edited or selectively interpreted videos.
The Chairman concluded by saying that the APC is prepared to face the people at the polls and allow the people to decide.
“We are not afraid of opposition. We welcome competition. Let every political party come to Orlu, campaign peacefully and tell our people what they can offer. We will present our record and allow the people to make their choice.
“Our confidence is in what we have done, and our victory, if it comes, will come from the people.”
