A meeting of the Labour Party in Aba was interrupted by a group of over 20 masked individuals, believed to be police officers, who ordered attendees to remain silent.
The masked figures approached the high table, where they informed Prince G.O. Ndubueze, the secretary of the local government election committee, that he was under arrest. However, party members resisted the attempt to apprehend Ndubueze, citing the absence of an arrest warrant.
In response to the incident, more than 500 party members rallied behind Ndubueze, marching to the Aba Area police command to protest the police action.
In a brief interview, Ndubueze expressed his unwillingness to succumb to intimidation from Governor Alex Otti, whom he accused of attempting to impose candidates for the upcoming local government elections on November 2.
“I have not seen any warrant for my arrest. I cannot even confirm if these individuals are genuinely police officers, but as a law-abiding citizen, I will accompany them. However, I will not yield to intimidation from Governor Alex Otti. We will not permit him to impose candidates in this local government election,” Ndubueze stated.
He further criticized the governor, saying, “This is a governor who came into power through a legitimate election yet seeks to dictate who should run. The Labour Party in Abia State will not stand for such imposition.”