The Abia chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday condemned the alleged arrest and harassment of its agent for the ongoing e-registration of members in Umuahia South LGA in the state.

The party stakeholders in the area expressed displeasure over the development in a communique they issued at the end of their meeting.

The communique, read to journalists by Chidi Nwosu, alleged that the party agent, Chidera Emenike, was arrested and harassed while performing the e-registration on January 24 at Ahiukwu Ward 1, Amizi–Olokoro.

It stated that Ms Emenike was arrested and detained at the Ubakala Police Division, allegedly on the order of the LGA chairman, Chinedu Enwereuzor.

It added that although Ms Emenike had been released, the matter had been escalated to the State Security Service and the commissioner of police.

The communique described the action as “unacceptable and a direct affront on APC as a political party.”

The meeting expressed shock and concern over the “continued intimidation and harassment” of party officials carrying out their duties, not only in Abia but also across the country.

The party called on the council boss to give a detailed account of the allocations he had received since he assumed office a year ago.

It alleged that there were no infrastructure projects in the area since Mr Enwereuzor assumed office as chairman.

It urged Governor Alex Otti to urgently call his officials to order to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the LGA.

The communique urged party members to intensify their mobilisation efforts to attract more people to join the party.

Meanwhile, Mr Enwereuzor denied the alleged arrest and harassment of an APC agent.

He said he only asked the divisional police officer in the area to invite Ms Emenike to protect her from an impending uproar after the report that some people were going about collecting bank verification numbers and voter cards from residents under the guise of APC e-registration.

He said the lady was allowed to go immediately after the interrogation.

“Nobody was harassed, victimised or beaten,” Mr Enwereuzor said.

Mr Enwereuzor alleged that the e-registration form in the agent’s possession had “Federal Government Empowerment Form” as its title, without the APC logo.

“If you look at the form, you will see name, email, ward number, LGA, occupation, address, voter card, National Identification Number, and other titles.

“They do not only collect the NIN, but they also take the voter cards from the people,” he alleged.

(NAN)