The Peoples Democratic Party counsellorship candidate for Okamu Ward in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon. Igwe Akuma Akwu, has claimed that his life is in danger following the November 2 Local Government election. Akwu, who insists he won the election by a wide margin but had his mandate “stolen,” is calling for justice.
In a statement available to Vanguard, Akwu detailed his experiences during the election. He alleged that security personnel invaded his home early on election day and assaulted two of his cousins and polling agents.
“On November 2, 2024, at around 3:25 am, unidentified personnel invaded my house, accompanied by two of my cousins, who were thoroughly beaten up and forced to show them my house to whisk me away to an unknown location,” he said, adding that he managed to evade capture by hiding in his restroom until daybreak.
Akwu directly accused Abia Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, of involvement in the incident, challenging him to explain his presence in the area with Zenith Labour Party candidate Ige Kalu Ige, allegedly searching for him.
“As a law-abiding citizen who has no criminal issues with law enforcement or the Deputy Governor, I wonder why he wants my life,” Akwu stated.
He went on to say, “Based on his threats and intimidation, my life is in danger, and I now live in fear; my constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom is in total jeopardy.”
The PDP candidate further claimed that, despite alleged intimidation tactics and the arrest of four of his agents, voters in Okamu Ward turned out in large numbers to support him, and he was declared the winner by the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission officials.
However, he asserted that ABSIEC later issued the certificate of return to Ige of the Zenith Labour Party, contrary to the “wishes and mandates of the Okamu people.”
In response to Akwu’s claims, Deputy Governor Emetu denied any involvement, describing the allegations as an attempt to gain publicity.
His Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Eke Mba, dismissed the claims, stating, “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. All the allegations are false.”
Meanwhile, the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission has rejected Akwu’s allegations, urging him to produce evidence. Dr. Kelechi Okere, ABSIEC’s Commissioner in charge of Information, Voter Education, Training, and Publicity, stated, “He should know that this is an election and not selection. If he was declared winner, let him produce the result sheet and certificate of declaration. He should have evidence.”
When questioned about a viral video allegedly showing Akwu’s victory announcement, Okere said he was unaware of it. Additionally, the police in the state are reportedly investigating, though the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, was unavailable for comment.
The Investigation Police Officer handling the case confirmed that four individuals were arrested at Akwu’s residence by another security agency and brought to the Ohafia Police Station. According to the IPO, the Deputy Governor later visited the station, alleging that the detainees had defamed him on social media.
“They made a voice note on the Internet against the Deputy Governor. The Deputy Governor later came and said they were defaming his character,” the IPO explained, adding that the case may proceed to court if a settlement is not reached.
As Akwu continues to appeal to security agencies to investigate the incident, he urged his supporters to remain calm and keep hope alive, saying, “To the people of Okamu Ward, I urge you to keep hope alive; since there’s life, there’s hope.”
