Abia Rep by-election holds amidst violence

The Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency bye-election for the vacant seat at the House of Representatives held amidst violence.

The vacancy in the seat arose following the death of Ossy Prestige (APGA) in a German hospital February.

• Burna Boy speaks on what is probably worth more than winning Grammy
• Nigerian fuel scarcity: Man-made or natural?

The front-runners had been Chimaobi Ebisike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mascot Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the close of voting yesterday, there were celebrations in some quarters by PDP supporters.

But the tension stirred by the election had forced so many residents to stay away from the streets. Ahead of the election, the Abia Police Command on Friday announced restriction of movement of residents.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, some men, suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) were alleged to have been involved in gun-battle with soldiers at the popular Ariaria Roundabout when they allegedly went to attack some female police officers deployed for the election. About 16 persons were reportedly gunned down during the shooting.

But the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, through his Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, alleged that the opposition party brought in the armed youths to the state to disrupt the election.

“About 200 armed youths have already been camped at a location and are awaiting deployment with fake military uniforms made available to them by an Abia-born retired Army General who only recently joined the opposition party with the intention of unleashing mayhem on the people of the state,” Kalu said.

There were reports of bomb explosion at the Umuola Hall, Ward 8, Ogbor Hill, Aba North council, which forced voters to flee without reported loss of lives.

Further, while the voting was ongoing, gunmen abducted the collation officer and campaign officer of Uzor Kalu, Engr. Mike Ozoemena.

Abia State APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson, who confirmed the report to Daily Trust on Sunday via a telephone, said Mr. Ozoemena’s whereabouts was still unknown.

“Engr. Mike Ozoemena, Director of Publicity, Mascot Uzor-Kalu Campaign and APC Collation Officer in Aba North has been whisked away by some men on white Hilux from his ward, Industrial Ward-2 Aba North to an unknown destination,” he said.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna said the police was not aware of the kidnap as the party is yet to make any complain.

The campaign began on a sour note when PDP officials accused Kalu of failing to learn from his prison experience.

Senators Kalu and Abaribe also exchanged brickbats. Kalu alleged that he picked Abaribe from the gutters and made him a deputy governor to which the latter replied that the former governor is still in the gutters and was yet to see the reality after his prison experience.

Senator Abaribe also accused Ihejirika of ingratitude by campaigning for the APC.

“PDP government recognized Igbos in the military by making him the Chief of Army Staff for the first time. The same man is supporting a party that has so much disdain for Igbos. That Ihejirika is with APC that has pushed out our people to a point that you hardly see any Igbo in the top rank of the military and other forces is an unfortunate one,” he said.