SaharaReporters had reported that the former House of Representatives member was reportedly abducted in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on Sunday.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore has tackled Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi over the abduction of the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party for the Ebonyi South senatorial district, Hon. Linus Okorie.
SaharaReporters had reported that the former House of Representatives member was reportedly abducted in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on Sunday.
Okorie who represented Onicha, Ohaozara, and Ivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is contesting with Governor David Umahi, the incumbent governor.
According to a statement signed by one David Ogbonna on behalf of Linus Okorie Caring Heart Foundation, Okorie was alleged to have been abducted by Ebube Agu security outfit in the state.
“The available information confirms that he’d been severely tortured to a near-death situation, made naked, and pictures of him taken by his abductors,” the statement said.
Reacting to this, the AAC presidential hopeful bemoaned the abduction of Okorie and urged that state governor, Umahi to ensure his immediate release.
“The Senatorial Candidate of the Labour Party for the Ebonyi South Senatorial district, Hon. Linus Okorie, has been kidnapped. Gov. David Umahi is low budget @MBuhari, he must release Linus Okorie, the @NgLabour Ebonyi guber candidate abducted by his men with immediate effect! #WeCantContinueLikeThis,” the human rights activist wrote on Twitter.
Earlier SaharaReporters reported that Okorie’s wife, Nkiru, in a video seen by SaharaReporters which was posted on Twitter by Dr Charles Odogwu, on Monday, alleged that her husband had been abducted by Ebube Agu security outfit, which she claimed was working for Umahi.
Nkiru said she was out of the country to get a master’s degree but was told he had been kidnapped when she could not reach him on the phone.
She said, “I’m here to raise an alarm about what is happening to my husband. I was just informed now that because I was calling my husband early this morning…I’m in the US for a course. That the governor sent Ebube Agu to come and kidnap my husband, Hon Linus Okorie.
“Hon Linus Okorie has been kidnapped since last night by the governor. He wants to kill my husband for no reason.
“So, I beg you people, please come to my aid. I’m not even in the country. I’m outside the country with my kids because I came to do my master’s. They have kidnapped my husband; they have kidnapped my husband since last night. Ebube Agu that used to kill people, slaughter people.
“The governor through Ebube Agu has kidnapped my husband because those are the people that do his dirty business. Please, fellow Nigerians, help me. He has been on my husband’s case; I don’t go to Facebook to say anything against this man.”
Nkiru also alleged that Governor Umahi has been extorting money from Okorie over his political ambition.
She said Umahi “removed” her husband from office despite telling her in 2015 that her husband was one of those doing well in the National Assembly.
“He knows my husband has a voice; he talks. This man will always be castigating my husband,” she said.
She also alleged that Governor Umahi said Okorie must pay him before he would be allowed to return to the House of Representatives.
“My husband had to go and borrow hundreds of dollars to be giving this man. I don’t talk because I’m a civil servant but I am so choked now, I can’t indulge anymore. My husband has been kidnapped by Dave Umahi. Please, fellow Nigerians, come and help me,” she said.
Meanwhile, in January 2022, Umahi’s government declared Okorie wanted over allegations of publishing “inciting” messages.
Gov. David Umahi is low budget @MBuhari, he must release Linus Okorie, the @NgLabour Ebonyi guber candidate abducted by his men with immediate effect! #WeCantContinueLikeThis https://t.co/Iy36HuZrVO
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) October 17, 2022