E-Registration: APC Decries Alleged Arrest, Intimidation of Agent in Abia

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the alleged arrest and harassment of one of its agents involved in the ongoing electronic registration of party members in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state.
Party stakeholders in the area expressed their displeasure over the development in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting on Wednesday.
The communiqué, read to journalists by Chief Chidi Nwosu, alleged that the party’s agent, Chidera Emenike, was arrested and harassed while lawfully carrying out the e-registration exercise on January 24 at Ahiukwu Ward 1, Amizi–Olokoro.
According to the communiqué, Emenike was arrested and detained at the Ubakala Police Division, allegedly on the orders of the Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Mr Chinedu Enwereuzor.
It further stated that although Emenike had since been released, the incident had been formally reported to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police in the state.
The stakeholders described the action as “unacceptable and a direct affront on APC as a political party.”
The meeting expressed shock and concern over what it described as the “continued intimidation and harassment” of party officials lawfully carrying out their duties, not only in Abia State but across the country.
The party also called on the council chairman to give a detailed account of the allocations received by the local government since he assumed office about a year ago.
It alleged that no visible infrastructure projects had been executed in the area since Enwereuzor took over as chairman.
The communiqué urged Governor Alex Otti to urgently call his officials to order in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the local government area.
Party members were also encouraged to intensify mobilisation efforts to attract more people to join the APC.
Meanwhile, Enwereuzor has denied the allegation that an APC agent was arrested or harassed.
He said he merely requested the Divisional Police Officer in the area to invite Emenike for questioning in order to prevent a possible disturbance in the community.
According to him, the agent was released immediately after the interrogation.
“Nobody was harassed, victimised, or beaten,” Enwereuzor said.
He explained that the invitation followed reports that some individuals were going around collecting residents’ Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and voter cards under the guise of APC e-registration.
Enwereuzor further alleged that the e-registration form found in the agent’s possession was titled “Federal Government Empowerment Form” and did not carry the APC logo.
“If you look at the form, you will see fields for name, email address, ward number, LGA, occupation, address, voter card details, National Identification Number, and others.
“They do not only collect NIN; they also collect voter cards from the people,” he alleged.