Ebonyi Gov, Umahi wants me dead – APC candidate

The Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Onu Prince Nwaeze has alleged that there are plans by the State Governor, Engr. David Umahi to assassinate him.

Nwaeze addressed journalists in Enugu on Monday, where he claimed that the Governor stormed his residence in company of some security agencies and political thugs, with the sole intention of getting him out of the way.

He alleged that, “around 2.30 p.m., while I was relaxing in my house at Ohozara, Obiora in Uburu, I saw a truck load of soldiers near my house. I made enquiries by calling the commander in charge of the election operations but he said he was not aware of their presence.

“Few minutes later, now saw the governor’s ADC, his brother and about five other persons I know very well. Austin Umahi, the PDP national vice chairman was also with them.

“I equally discovered to my chagrin that the governor was inside one of the white vehicles which was in the entourage. At that point, the ADC will ask me some questions and then cross over, report to the Governor inside the vehicle and come back again to me.”

“The Governor told them to go and kill me and nothing will happen; you can see my face; the ADC beat me to stupor, there was blood all over me. The instruction was that they should kill me and nothing will happen.

“At that point, the DPO of Ohozara, who was also working with them came and handcuffed me; he took me to the police station and detained me there.

‘Up until this moment, none of them told me what my crime was. It took the intervention of the Police Commissioner and his DCP, who personally came to the Police Division, to ensure that I was released and taken to hospital.”

Asked why the Governor may want him dead, Nwaeze claimed that “he is in panic mode; we are from the same zone. So, he has been having tension. That is why I am here to alert Nigerians that should anything happen to me, the governor should be held responsible.”

But reacting, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Uzor said the assassination claims were tissues of lies.

Uzor said, Nwazeze “is seeking cheap popularity. How can he say that the governor led thugs to attack him? The governor cannot descend to that level. Who is he in the first place?

“The governor is not a candidate in the senatorial election and has neither problem with him nor any other person.”

While giving further instance into the said incident, he said, “The governor was on routine inspection during the day when suddenly a gunshot was heard around the area. He was with the DPO of Uburu, his security details and some Soldiers and they decided to know what was happening.

“On getting there, they discovered that he was held hostage by some thugs who apparently wanted money from him over the failed election.

“So they decided to rescue him and took him to the police station. It has nothing to do with the governor. It is unfortunate that he is now claiming that he was attacked by the same people that rescued him.”