Members of my panel were kidnapped on Okorocha’s order, says chairman of Imo APC committee

Ahmed Gulak, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election committee in Imo state, says he escaped being kidnapped in the state. 

Onwuasoanya Jones, spokesman of the state chapter of the party, had declared him missing on Tuesday morning.

Jones said Daniel Madueke, chairman of Imo APC, went to the hotel where Gulak was lodged only to find out that he was not in his room.

But speaking with journalists, Gulak said while he was lucky to escape, nine members of his panel were abducted on the orders of the governor.

“Nine out of the 12-member committee were kidnapped by agents of the governor who were led by a team of policemen to the hotel where we lodged,” he said.

Gulak said after the abduction of some members of the committee, he and the remaining ones conducted a peaceful exercise which produced Hope Uzodinma, senator representing Imo west, as the party’s flag bearer for 2019.

He said Uzodinma polled 423,895 votes to defeat eight other aspirants, including Uche Nwosu, Okorocha’s son in-law.

He said he left Owerri under the cover of darkness and made his way to Abuja.

“Myself, Col. Igbanor and Hon Bernard Miko were the only three doing this job, as others disappeared, and we learnt that they were at the government house,” he said.

“So, when we sensed that something was fishy, by 4am, we left Owerri after concluding the entry of the results.

“I was informed and the AIG zone 9 called to inform me that they went for investigations and discovered that the governor himself and some policemen came and rounded up those members and took them to the government house and until now, they have not been released and anything could have happened to them.

“The election was held, results generated and a winner emerged and the winner is Senator Hope Uzodinma.

“My secretary disappeared around 2am. In fact, the case of Sadiq Bello is most pathetic because he doesn’t know anywhere in Owerri.

“He called a while ago that he has not eaten and has no money on him. That is the price and hazard of this job.”

Sam Onwememudo, spokesman of the governor, could not be reached for comments as of the time this report was filed.

However, Yekini Nabena, spokesman of the APC, issued a statement to say the primary had been suspended indefinitely.