Activists protest abduction of LP gov candidate

Forum 2 years ago

Activists protest abduction of LP gov candidate

A human rights movement under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Truth and Justice on Thursday protested against the inability of security agencies to offer a clue on the whereabouts of Obiora Agbasimalo, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the November 6, 2021, Anambra election.

Furthermore, they gave the Federal Government and other security agencies a seven-day ultimatum to find Agbasimalo.

The PUNCH reported that Agbasimalo was abducted on Saturday, September 18, 2021, along with his security detail on his way from Ezinifitte to Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State while on his way for an election campaign. Since then, nothing has been heard of him.

The Convener of CCCSO, Phil Roberts, during the protest said, Obiora’s disappearance had triggered the concerns of family members and friends.

He said, “Whether he is dead or alive, no one knows and all these questions are begging for answers. Who kidnapped Obiora Agbasimalo and how was he kidnapped? Already, family and friends are seeking Obiora’s safety and his eventual release from his captors.

“We are as a matter of urgency respectfully urging Mr President to direct the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services and other relevant security agencies to get to the root of this matter, in the interest of the peace and stability of not just the South-East region, but the nation at large.

“We, therefore, wish to state categorically that, if in the next seven days we do not start getting answers as to the whereabouts of our fellow compatriots, we will activate a process of civil disobedience by mobilizing Nigerians into the streets.”

According to him, the coalition had already sent a petition to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and other security agencies in the country to expedite action with a view to unravel the mystery.

Roberts said that Nigeria must not continue to slide in the negative direction of chaos where people can no longer have the freedom of movement or association.