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Richard Ogunsile
Guest
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councilorship candidate in Okamu Ward, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon. Igwe Akuma Akwu, has expressed serious concerns for his safety following the local government elections held on November 2nd.
Akwu asserts that he won the election decisively yet claims that his victory has been usurped.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Akwu reported that his residence was invaded by armed individuals during the early hours of election day, resulting in the assault of two of his cousins and polling agents. He has called for justice regarding these events.
Furthermore, Akwu has publicly challenged the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, to clarify his involvement in this troubling situation.
He has urged security forces to provide him with protection as he continues to live in fear.
However, the Deputy Governor has categorically denied any connection to the alleged attack on Akwu’s home, suggesting that the PDP candidate is merely attempting to gain attention by associating him with his difficulties.
The Deputy Governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Eke Mba, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, remarking that Akwu is not a figure of sufficient significance to warrant his envy.
“How can the Deputy Governor descend so low to such a person? After all, PDP is already dead in Abia. He just wants people to notice him. These days if somebody wants to make headlines, he will call the name of the Deputy Governor just to draw attention. All the allegations are false,” he said.
But in a swift response, the PDP candidate, in a statement, insisted that the Deputy Governor should be investigated.
The statement read: “I’m Hon. Igwe Akuma Akwu of the People’s Democratic Party PDP and the legitimate winner of the just concluded Councillorship election in Okamu Ward, Ohafia LGA of Abia State.
“On 2 November 2024, the election day, at around 3:25 am, some unidentified personnel invaded my house accompanied by two of my cousins who were thoroughly beaten up as they were forced to show them my house to whisk me away to an unknown location.
“Fortunately, I was in the restroom, and the only option I had was to remain there till daybreak. As if the intimidation wasn’t enough, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu came in person to Okon Aku Ohafia in the company of Zenith Labour Party ZLP candidate Ige Kalu Ige, searching for me.
“In spite of the Deputy Governor’s intimidation and arrest of four of my polling unit agents, Okamu people came in their numbers and voted for me, and I was declared winner of the election by ABSIEC officials.
“As a law-abiding citizen who has no criminal issues with the law enforcement agents or the Deputy Governor, I wonder why he wants my life.
“Based on his threats and intimidation, my life is in danger, and I now live in fear, and my constitutional guaranteed right of freedom is in total jeopardy.
“The Deputy Governor’s motive on the election day remains unknown to me but perhaps my popularity in Okamu Ward. I call on the relevant authorities to investigate this incident and ensure my safety.”
The statement further read: “Despite efforts to frustrate my election, the people of Okamu Ward voted overwhelming for me, as affirmed and declared by the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission ABSIEC supervisors on video record.
“ABSIEC declared his boy, Ige Kalu Ige, of the Zenith Labour Party the winner of the election and handed him the certificate of return contrary to the wishes and mandates of Okamu people.
“My concern now is not the election daylight robbery of my mandate but my life that is being threatened.”
He, however, urged his followers to remain calm while appealing to security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“To the people of Okamu Ward, I urge you to Keep hope alive; since there’s life, there’s hope,” Akwu said.
ABSIEC’s Response To Akwu’s Claims
The Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) has refuted the assertions made by the PDP candidate regarding his victory in the election, urging him to provide evidence to support his claims.
Dr. Kelechi Okere, the ABSIEC Commissioner responsible for Information, Voter Education, Training, and Publicity, stated that the candidate is expected to validate his statements with concrete proof.
“He should know that this is an election and not a selection. If he was declared the winner, let him produce the result sheet and certificate of declaration. He should have evidence,” Okere said.
According to Vanguard, when reminded of a viral video where the Ward result was allegedly being declared, Okere said he was not aware.
When contacted, the Investigation Police Officer, IPO, in charge of the matter, said four persons were arrested in the PDP candidate’s house by another security agency and brought to Ohafia Police Station.
The IPO ( names withheld) said the Deputy Governor later came to the station and alleged that the arrested persons were defaming his character on the social media.
He said that four persons were brought here and detained but later released on bail. They were said to have made voice note on the Internet against the Deputy Governor. The Deputy Governor later came and said they were defaming his character.
On what the police found out, the IPO said: “They said they are going to court. We have prepared the files. Any time they want to go to court, we will arraign them, but if they want to settle, that’s okay”.
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