Ex-Abia Speaker Alleges Assassination Plot

The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency of Abia State, Chief Stanley Ohajuruka, has raised alarm over plots by unknown men to eliminate him.

 The lawmaker, who was a former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, has appealed to security agencies to protect him from hoodlums who, he said, were after his life. He alleged that some unidentified youths were out to terminate his life because of his resolve to contest for the governorship seat of the state next year. 

Speaking through his Personal Assistant, Chris Oguama, the former lawmaker said some youths numbering over 200 invaded his hotel, Phelina, along Aba Road in Umuahia metropolis at about 8 am Thursday in search of him. 

 It was learnt that Ohajuruka was billed to address a meeting of his political associates in the hotel that morning. The meeting, however, could not hold due to his absence. 

But the youths who may have been tipped of the scheduled meeting came calling in more than 10 buses, according to Oguama, and subjected the staff of the hotel and customers to severe harassment and commanded them to produce the lawmaker or have themselves to blame.

 They were said to have cordoned off the hotel and caused serious traffic hold up along Aba Road as vehicles were held-up by their blockade.

 Oguama said when they were satisfied that Ohajuruka was not in the hotel, they stormed out, warning that they would be back and must deal with him.

“He will not escape our wrath. He wants to contest governorship, let us wait and see,” the youths were quoted as saying.

While leaving, the youths hung a palm tree, signifying danger on a flower inside the premises of the hotel.

 The palm tree was still there when The Tide called at about noon. Nothing, however, was destroyed.

A security officer in the hotel said the palm tree was hung by some youths from Afara who stormed the hotel that morning. He said he did not know why they did it. 

Oguama said the matter has been reported to the police but wondered why people would want to terminate the life of a person who has merely indicated interest in running for an office he was qualified to seek.

When contacted, Abia Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ali Okechukwu, said he was not yet aware of the incident.