APC stunned by party member's purported involvement in Ebonyi abduction incident

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been left reeling in shock over the involvement of one of its own members in the kidnapping and subsequent death of HRH Francis Igwe, the father of Ebonyi's former deputy governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe.

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According to confirmed reports, the party's publicity secretary in the state was implicated in the act, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

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APC Chairman in Ebonyi, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, expressed his shock and dismay on Saturday during a condolence visit to the Igwe family in Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area (LGA), which he led on behalf of the party.

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Okoro-Emegha confessed that the news of the party executive's complicity had been so shocking that he had struggled to come to terms with it, saying "the report is unheard of, as I do not have the confidence to face the public since the past two days."

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He emphasized that the party's members were struggling to believe that their organization could be associated with such a heinous act, stating "members of the party cannot believe in their entire lives that the party can be associated with such an act."

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Okoro-Emegha highlighted the close-knit nature of the party, saying "we operate as a family to the extent that someone can vouch for another despite our normal party activities."

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The party chairman reaffirmed the party's commitment to supporting the state government's efforts to secure justice for the Igwe family, emphasizing that the governor, as the state's leader, would not tolerate such evil acts, regardless of who was involved.

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He stressed that the party would condemn any wrongdoing, stating "we condemn whatever is condemnable, as whatever is evil is evil," and called for those responsible to face the consequences of their actions, saying "all those who heard of the act and did not disclose it, among other levels of involvement, must receive equal measure of what they deserve."

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Okoro-Emegha urged the deputy governor to remain strong, as this would inspire those around him to do the same, and also encouraged the family and community to offer their condolences to help the deputy governor cope with his loss.

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He cautioned against taking a life, saying "the worst thing one can do against God is to take a life that you do not know how it was created," and emphasized the importance of seeking solace and strength during difficult times.

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The Palace Secretary of the community, Dr Johnson Aloh, thanked the party for their visit, acknowledging that the palace and community were still reeling from the incident and struggling to come to terms with the fact that such an act had occurred in Ebonyi.

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Aloh expressed regret that the state's reputation had been tarnished by the actions of an individual, saying "truly, it was earth-shaking when we heard that the name of our dear party was soiled by the actions of an individual."

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He praised the party's leadership for taking a stand against the incident, stating "we, however, have the discerning spirit to differentiate the act of an individual from that of the party, as we know that the party can never indulge in such an act," and urged them to continue fighting against those who sought to harm the state's image.