Labour Party demands speedy release of ‘kidnapped’ Okorie, Ebonyi South senatorial candidate

The Labour Party on Monday demanded immediate release of its Senatorial Candidate in Ebonyi South, Linus Okorie, who was perceived  to have been kidnapped on Sunday night.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, in a statement on Sunday, indicated that Okorie, a former House of Representatives member from Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, was kidnapped by the operatives of the South East Vigilante outfit, Ebubeagu.

Abure, therefore, demanded Governor Dave Umahi  of Ebonyi State, and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to facilitate the speedy release of Okorie.

Abure decried the obstruction of the campaign activities of LP and its candidates Southeast states for the 2023 general elections.

Abure declared: “It is no longer news that some political actors in some South Eastern states particularly, Ebonyi and Enugu have vowed that Labour Party and its candidates will not be allowed to campaign freely in the zone.

“This is evident with incessant attacks on members and supporters of the Labour Party and that of our candidates, particularly, our presidential candidate.

“This night attack is viewed by the party as a furtherance of the determination of these political hirelings to frustrate the progressive incursion of the party across the nation and particularly in the Southeast.

“I, therefore, call on the Ebonyi state governor, His Excellency, Dave Umahi and the hierarchy of the security agencies particularly, the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State to immediately effect the release of our senatorial prospect, Hon Linus Okorie.”

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command on Monday issued a statement dismissing claims that Okorie was kidnapped, saying that the LP senatorial candidate was arrested for alleged drug and other offences.