By Cajetan Mmuta
Anxiety has continued to mount o get members of the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State as candidates of the party Mr Obiora Agbasimalo is still held in the den of his kidnappers just eleven days to the governorship election in the state.
This is as the National leadership of the LP on Tuesday raised the alarm over the abduction of the Party’s candidate, describing the development as one that has a political undertone.
It noted that the kidnap of Agbasimalo is not unconnected to his popularity and chances in the forthcoming November 6 election in the state.
Agbasimalo, a former banker, had in late August this year flagged off his governorship campaign in the commercial town of Onitsha, which recorded a massive turnout of supporters.
His towering political influence had posed serious concerns and shock to his political rivals in the state.
He was suddenly kidnapped on September 18, while on his way from the Ezinifitte community in Nnewi South Local Government Area to Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area on the campaign.
But the National Organizing Secretary of Labour Party, Mr Clement Ojukwu and a member of the Labour Party campaign council, Mr Stanley Okoli told newsmen in Awka the state capital that the Party’s candidate has not been seen since his abduction.
Ojukwu who doubles as the National Chairman of the Labour Party Campaign Council for Anambra state Governorship Election said: “Our candidate has not appeared since he was abducted on 18th September 2021. He was abducted alongside his security on his way from Ezinifitte to Azhia in Ihiala where he was going for the campaign. He was also kidnapped alongside his security aide.”
According to him, “Since after his abduction, he has not appeared anywhere and his abductors have always spoken to us to assure us that he is alive and we believe he will be out soon.”
Sadly, the question about the possible release of the popular chieftain of Oga Ndi Oga Foundation from his captors till date remains ‘a bedroom secret’ that must not be disclosed.
Ojukwu disclosed that “What we discussed with them (captors) and what they told us is like what a man and a woman discuss in the bedroom because it is secret. We always discuss with them to ensure our candidate is alive, and they let us speak with him.
He said, “His abduction is political. He was in the banking sector and no one has ever thought of abducting him, but since he started vying for the governorship seat of Anambra, they now targeted and abducted him. He is very popular and his chances are very clear, so his opponents are not happy.”
On his chances of clinching the exalted number one seat at Agu Awka Government House the Labour Party’s top shot said: “This is not the first time, this is happening. People have been in prison and won elections. You remember Omisore, you remember T.A Orji? We believe that he will win the election.”
“We do not need sympathy vote to be able to win the election, he is popular and deserves to win. Besides, he is not the only one abducted, his security too, and the police force headquarters and the DSS are on it, and we believe he will be out soon.”
Court remands Chidinma for alleged murder of Super TV CEO, Ataga
In addition, the party also dismisses reports in the media that it had concluded plans to collapse the party structure to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the intention to adopt Chief Valentine Ozigbo as its candidate for the election.
Ojukwu maintained that the LP candidate’s popularity was making opposition very jittery because of the massive followership he commands, hence the rumours.
“The name of Labour Party candidate is with INEC and you may wish to visit their portal to check that.”
Ojukwu added that “Agabasimalo and Ozigbo are vying for the same seat and never met one on one or brokered an agreement for one to step down for the other. They are all rumours targeted at reducing our candidate’s popularity.”
