Rivers: House Of Assembly Candidate In Saturday’s Poll Kidnapped

By Ayodele Oni

Relations and political allies of a House of Assembly candidate during Saturday’s poll in Rivers State are calling for the postponement of the election.

The call followed the alleged abduction of the Accord Party’s House of Assembly candidate for Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Constituency II, Rivers State, Chukwudi Ogbonna.

Ogbonna was said to have been whisked away at gunpoint to an unknown destination by unidentified persons around Rumuigbo community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

The victim, who is said to be a popular candidate for Saturday’s election, was kidnapped at about 8:30 pm on Monday while returning home with a friend.

According to one Ifeakachukwu Nwakiri, who identified himself as the brother of the victim,t he kidnap was politically motivated, but noted that the police have been alerted.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to consider suspending the State House of Assembly election for Onelga Constituency II slated pending the release of his brother.

“He was double crossed and taken to an unknown destination. Up until now we have not heard from him. So we don’t know where he has been taken to.

“Our plea and our call is to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the Commissioner of Police Director of DSS, NSCDC for all of them to swing into action to make sure they rescue Engineer Chukwudi Ogbonna.”