Ginger Onwusibe, who eventually emerged winner of the primary, and his main challenger, Uzoma Ihuka were of the opinion that only a thorough police investigation would unravel the masterminds of the heinous act. The two contenders spoke at different fora.
As PDP faithful were gathering for the Isiala Ngwa North primary at Okpuala Ngwa, the council headquarters, hoodlums invaded the arena, doused the office of the Transition Committee Chairman with petrol before setting it ablaze. The inferno caught up with many staff of the council on duty and burnt Mr. Onyenmachi Onyenro, a staff in the Chairman’s office to death and left Ms. Amarachi Orioha and Ms Florence Akwarandu in critical conditions. Orioha died two days later in the hospital, bringing the death toll to two.
Condemning the arson and deaths of the local government staff while addressing his supporters after the primary, Onwusibe lamented that the violent attack by the hoodlums, working for desperate power seekers from the area almost marred the primary and portrayed the local government in bad light.
He expressed shock that the unfortunate attack led to the death of two innocent members of staff of the council with many others wounded.
The PDP flag bearer commended security operatives for swiftly bringing the situation under control and called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the ugly incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to answer for their crimes.
Onwusibe expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those injured quick recovery while expressing worry over the naked desperation of some politicians for power.
He thanked the delegates who elected him for being steadfast in their desire to enthrone true democracy in Isiala Ngwa North and for the confidence they reposed in him by overwhelmingly electing him the PDP Chairmanship candidate, even in the face of threat and harassment.
He thanked the leadership of the party for insisting that the popular will of the people must prevail and called on the people of the council to remain law-abiding, calm, vigilant and steadfast.
Also, Ihuka condoled with families of the deceased and urged the police to get to the root of the matter.
Washing his hands of the dastardly act, Ihuka said that he was not at the scene of the incident and neither were his supporters.
Ihuka, who spoke in a telephone interview with newsmen, said that the delegates list for the primary was in his favour until few hours to the primary when he was informed that the list has been doctored.
According to him, when he confirmed the development, he addressed his supporters and gave them transport money since it was useless going to the primary when the delegates list did not favour you.
He said he was still making efforts to see if the list could be rectified in Umuahia when he got hews of the unfortunate incident.
He challenged those linking him to the incident to make a report to the police or show proof. Already, four suspects are in Police net in connection with the arson.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Abia State has threatened to go on strike over the killing of their members in Isiala Ngwa and called on the state government to pay compensation to the bereaved families.
