LP demands immediate release of Ebonyi senatorial candidate

•Decries continuous attack on members
•Okorie arrested by Ebubeagu not kidnapped, says Ebonyi police

The Labour Party (LP) has raised the alarm over alleged abduction of former member of the House of Representatives and LP candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone in the coming 2023 general elections, Linus Okorie, by operatives of Ebubeagu Security Network in Ebonyi State.

A statement by the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, demanded immediate and unconditional release of the former House member.

Gunmen suspected to be operatives of Ebubeagu Security outfit reportedly kidnapped Okorie on Sunday, while on his way to his house in Abakaliki. The operatives were allegedly sent by Onicha Council Chairman, and allegedly masterminded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state.

The statement reads: “It is no longer news that some political actors in Southeastern states, particularly, Ebonyi and Enugu, have vowed that Labour Party and its candidates will not be allowed to campaign freely in the zone. This is evident with incessant attacks on members and supporters of the party, as well as our candidates.

“Today’s attack is in furtherance of the determination of these political hirelings to frustrate the incursion of Labour Party across the nation, and, particularly, in the South East.

MEANWHILE, contrary to the alleged kidnap of Okorie by operatives of Ebubeagu, the Ebonyi State Police Command, yesterday, said the former House of Representatives member was arrested by operatives of Ebonyi Command of Ebubeagu.

The police, in a statement in Abakaliki, by the Command Spokesperson, SP Chris Anyanwu, affirmed that Okorie was rather arrested by Ebubeagu and not kidnapped.

The statement reads: “Following rumours making the rounds, as well as a statement by one Dr. David Ogbonna of Linus Okorie Caringheart Foundation purporting that Okorie was kidnapped, the Ebonyi Police Command swung into action, and later traced Okorie to the head office of Ebubeagu at the Old Government House.

“Police detectives were briefed on reasons he was arrested, which include: his activities and utterances that incited, as well as provoked violence that engulfed Onicha Council, which led to suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives or unknown gunmen to unleash mayhem in the area, leaving seven persons dead. Hence, the case has now been taken over by the Police Command for preliminary investigation.

“Second, Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command over a petition, dated 23/3/2022, written by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, alleging that he was spreading fake news against the state governor, Dave Umahi, accusing him of illegally withdrawing N6.7 billion from state government’s account to fund the Appeal Court judgment against his removal from office.”