Renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Etigwe Uwa, has raised strong concerns over alleged voter intimidation, unlawful arrests, and the kidnapping of political opponents during the ongoing Local Government Area (LGA) elections in Abia State.
Uwa in a statement on Saturday expressed dismay following reports that the member representing Ohafia South in the State House of Assembly, Kalu Mba Nwoke (Etiokwe) was “assaulted, had his phone destroyed, and was taken to an unknown location”.
Uwa stated that he had reached out to Governor Alex Otti, who responded, explaining that the arrests were due to attempts to disrupt the election process. However, Uwa questioned this explanation, highlighting reports from residents of Ohafia and other local communities suggesting otherwise.
He alleged that officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) and police, acting on the Deputy Governor’s instructions, have been involved in detaining individuals.
Calling the situation “deplorable,” Uwa condemned the actions and described them as a reflection of the broader issues within Nigeria’s political class.
“The country faces an existential threat from high-handedness, abuse of office, and the ‘emperor mentality’ of some politicians,” he said.
The statement reads, “I am saddened and distressed by the reports I am getting of voter intimidation, arrest and kidnap of opponents in the on going LGA elections in Abia State. In particular the reports from Ohafia indicate that the member representing Ohafia South in the State House of Assembly has been beaten his phone destroyed and taken to an unknown destination on the instigation of the Deputy Governor. These actions are terribly deplorable and I condemn them unequivocally.
“In fairness I have reached out to the Governor His Excellency Alex Otti and he graciously returned my call stating that the arrests were made on account of attempts to disrupt the elections. With the greatest respect the reports I am getting suggest the contrary and I have been called by many people in the Local Government. I understand that the DSS and Policmen on the instruction of the Deputy Governor have been making arrests and taking people away.
“I have stated on countless occasions that the political class is the greatest problem Nigeria has and the country faces an existential threat on account of the highhandedness abuse of office and emperor mentality of some politicians .
“It is particularly distressing when this show of shame is perpetrated by self acclaimed progressives. It is sad that the Labour Party which professed its intent to usher in a new Nigeria can be this brazen. All this means is that the beautiful ones are not yet revealed even though they may have been born.
“I call on the Governor to reign in these acts of executive lawlessness and electoral heist.
“I have directed those who have reported these matters to obtain evidence of the manhandling of people performing their normal civic duties. It must be clear to those who infringe the rights of other people that there is no concept of perpetual immunity and we would definitely pursue and bring to book all those who misuse the power and public trust reposed in them to score undeserved and selfish political advantages.
“Etigwe Uwa SAN FCIArb”
