The Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State has raised serious concerns over the unlawful arrest and detention of its Njikoka Local Government Chairman, Charles Nwazojie.
According to reports, Nwazojie was apprehended by suspected operatives of the Agunechemba security outfit, accused of encouraging citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and rallying support for the party’s governorship candidate, Chief George Moghalu, ahead of the upcoming elections.
In a statement issued by Onyebuchi Okoye, Special Assistant on Media to the Moghalu Campaign Organisation, the party labeled the incident a blatant act of political intimidation that undermines democratic principles. The unfolding situation was characterised as a dangerous trend toward lawlessness, with the party calling for an immediate and unconditional release of Nwazojie.
The Labour Party has demanded that the Commissioner of Police intervene, urging an investigation into whether the Agunechemba outfit is being utilised as a political tool.
The party’s Youth Leader, Comrade Ekene Nnadi, echoed these concerns, urging the police to exercise caution and discouraging other state-sponsored security outfits from participating in acts of intimidation against opposition groups.
Okoye highlighted the legitimacy of Nwazojie’s actions: “For fulfilling this basic civic duty, he was arrested and taken to Abagana Police Station, where he was unjustly detained.”
He emphasised that the Labour Party had complied with all legal requirements, having paid ₦50 million to the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) for campaign publicity, and stated, “There is no legal or moral basis for Nwazojie’s arrest unless the true motive is to silence dissenting voices.”
The statement further denounced the Udo Ga Achi security outfit, which was established under the pretense of community protection but is allegedly being misused to suppress political participation and instill fear among citizens. Okoye appealed to civil society organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the international community to condemn this “creeping tyranny,” insisting that silence would only embolden repressive forces.
He concluded with a strong affirmation of the party’s commitment to democratic principles, declaring, “Chief George Moghalu and Mrs. Ifeoma Okaro stand firmly with the people of Anambra, especially those who long for a future rooted in justice, dignity, and the rule of law. Their campaign is built on hope, not fear; on service, not oppression.”