The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has called for the immediate release of High Chief Albert Uchenna Ahanonu, the party’s candidate for the Owerri North chairmanship.
Ahanonu was arrested on September 22, 2024, just a day after a disputed election that was marred by missing result sheets, which ultimately led to the declaration of APC candidates as winners across the state.
APGA officials alleged that Ahanonu’s arrest is politically motivated, intended to prevent him from filing a petition at the election tribunal regarding the irregularities of the September 21 election.
They believed the charges against him were fabricated to keep him detained until the deadline for petition submissions elapsed.
The state party chairman, Hon. John Iwuala, in a statement, urged the state government to intervene, demanding the immediate unconditional release of Ahanonu or, if necessary, that he be formally charged in court.
Iwuala expressed concern over the unrest within the Imo APGA community due to Ahanonu’s detention.
In his statement, Iwuala stated: “We see his arrest as politically motivated, particularly as he was gathering evidence to approach the election petition tribunal. The frivolous charges raised against him appear to be an attempt to impede his legal recourse.”
He appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma to act against what they considered political victimisation and to ensure that Ahanonu’s rights are upheld.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the state, we believe you are not a supporter of political victimisation. We urge you to use your good office to intervene in this matter,” he added.
The chairman also called on Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma to address the situation fairly, stressing that Ahanonu has been held for over 24 hours without access to medical care.
“This is an infringement on his fundamental human rights,” Iwuala stated.