APC Importing Thugs to Disrupt, Rig Ebonyi South Senatorial Re-run, LP Candidate Alleges

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

The Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate for the February 3 Ebonyi South senatorial bye-election, Hon Linus Abaa Okorie, yesterday alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has started importing thugs from Niger Delta to disrupt and rig the bye-election in the state.

Okorie stated this at his country home in Onicha when the people of Onicha Local Government Area organised a grand reception for him ahead of the bye-election.

He specifically accused the council Chairman of Onicha LGA, Chibuzor Uzor, for the plan, stressing that any attempt to manipulate the election would be resisted.

“As we speak, the local government Chairman of Onicha, Hon Chidiebere Uzor has imported thugs from the Niger Delta, which he did the last time which led to the death of one person. We have already reported to the security agencies. We want to assure them that if anyone is killed, the people won’t go scot-free because Onicha is a holy land.”

The senatorial candidate warned the youths against being used as political thugs, and expressed the sadness that some politicians can never do politics without thuggery and violence.

 He said: “Any leader who will use you as a thug doesn’t love your father, doesn’t love your mother and also doesn’t love you. My advice to the youths is to steer clear of such politicians. If anyone wants to use you as a thug, reject it and pull out.

Okorie expressed regret over the death of Oyibo Chukwu, who was brutally murdered during the last election and maintained that the perpetrators of the act would never go unpunished.

The candidate, who was a two-term House of Representatives member, alleged that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, imposed the choice of a less experienced Prof Ani against the more experienced politicians from Onicha council area to enable him step down for him in 2027.

“It is a statement of fact that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru, made it clear that the senatorial ticket of their party (APC) has been rezoned to Onicha LGA from Ohaozara where Umahi hails from. Nwifuru had insisted that the former governor will determine who the choice candidate will be,” he alleged.