By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, accused some officers of the Imo State Police Command of abducting his constituents and plotting to frame him for terrorism, gun-running and murder, while also alleging a coordinated judicial conspiracy to deregister opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Ideato North/South federal lawmaker raised alarm over what he described as “dangerous political madness” capable of plunging Nigeria into constitutional crisis and democratic collapse.

Ugochinyere, who spoke passionately for several hours, alleged that some operatives attached to the controversial “Tiger Base” unit in Imo State had turned the police into “a private army,” carrying out forced disappearances, kidnappings and unlawful arrests aimed at implicating him in fabricated criminal offences.

“Imo police are abducting my constituents to frame me for terrorism, gun-running and murder,” the lawmaker declared.

“They are creating fear and uncertainty in my constituency and attempting to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the elections.”

The outspoken opposition figure called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to urgently intervene and investigate the activities of the officers involved before the situation degenerates further.

Ugochinyere also launched a blistering attack on an alleged move to deregister several opposition political parties through the courts, warning that such a plan would trigger nationwide political unrest.

He specifically mentioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and other opposition platforms allegedly targeted in the suit.

According to him, the move was designed to stop opposition candidates, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, from participating in the coming elections.

Describing the development as “an invitation to anarchy,” the lawmaker accused unnamed political actors of attempting to manipulate the judiciary to wipe opposition parties off the ballot.

“What kind of anarchy do you want this country to go through?” he thundered.

“You cannot deregister political parties a few months to elections and expect Nigerians to fold their arms. You are playing with fire.”

He warned that the alleged desperation to eliminate opposition parties could recreate the political crises that led to the collapse of Nigeria’s First and Second Republics.

The federal lawmaker, however, praised the Court of Appeal for intervening to halt further proceedings in the controversial suit seeking the deregistration of political parties.

He commended Justices of the Appeal Court for granting a stay of proceedings against a judgment of a Federal High Court judge whom he accused of handling the matter in a manner that raised “serious suspicion and concern.”

Ugochinyere alleged that despite existing constitutional provisions and previous court judgments affirming that political parties cannot be deregistered once they have won at least one elective seat, the case was still being aggressively pursued.

Citing Section 225A of the Nigerian Constitution, he argued that parties like ADC, Accord and APP had already fulfilled constitutional requirements by winning elective positions, including councillorship seats.

“The Constitution is clear. Once a party wins even one councillorship seat, deregistration does not arise,” he stated.

He further cited judgments from Federal High Courts in Uyo and Awka, as well as decisions of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed that parties meeting the constitutional threshold cannot be deregistered.

On the controversy surrounding the electoral timetable, Ugochinyere urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to appeal a recent Federal High Court judgment that adjusted aspects of the electoral timetable to allow broader political participation.

He praised Justice M.G. Umar for what he called a “courageous constitutional interpretation” that promotes inclusiveness in the democratic process.

According to him, any appeal by INEC would create uncertainty, destabilise the political atmosphere and damage public confidence in the electoral process.

“The country cannot afford confusion at this critical moment,” he warned.

“Appealing this judgment will create tension, uncertainty and doubts about the credibility of the elections.”

In an emotionally charged conclusion, the lawmaker appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council and security chiefs to safeguard democratic institutions from abuse.

He warned against what he called attempts by desperate politicians hiding under the guise of loyalty to the President to destroy Nigeria’s democracy.

“Democracy is about participation, not exclusion,” he said.

“You don’t claim to be popular while running around disqualifying opponents, deregistering parties and framing critics with criminal allegations, “he said.

The press conference has already triggered intense political reactions, with observers warning that the allegations, if left unchecked, could deepen tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.