Suspected Arsonists Set Abia Council Ablaze

Headquarters of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State was yesterday set ablaze by arsonists.

Among early callers to the scene were Chief of Staff to the governor, Anthony Agbazuere, and the council’s Transition Committee Chairman Nkem Onwubiko, who were there to ascertain the level of damage.

Ut was gathered that the action might be a calculated plan to botch the council chairmanship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holding across the 17 councils today.

Sources also said party members and faithful are against the alleged imposition of a chairmanship candidate by ‘powers that be’.

Some party faithful, who said they could not immediately attribute the action to the outcome of the party’s internal squabble, agreed that the party was having internal crisis over the choice of candidate.

They, however, said the issue couldn’t have degenerated to the burning of the council.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, said the government will not give in to the antics of destructive elements.

The statement reads: “Government condemns such acts, and will work to bring the perpetrators to book. The government does not wish to expend public funds in rebuilding the burnt facility to remind the perpetrators of their folly.

“It the intention of the arsonists was to stop today’s PDP council primary, they have failed as the election will hold as planned.

“No other development will be carried out in the council until the structure is restored. It therefore becomes the responsibility of all to cooperate with law enforcement agents to unravel the identity of the culprits.”