As the November date fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the governorship election in Anambra State draws close, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the OBIDIENT Movement recalls the abduction in 2021 of the Labour Party’s candidate in the state.
He calls on security agents to help find and unite Mr Agbasimalo with his family.
Excerpts . . .
Obiora Agbasimalo the Labour Party Governorship candidate in the 2021 Anambra Gubernatorial elections was abducted on 18th September 2021, less than a month before the Guber elections and has been missing for four years now.
Mr. Agbasimalo was abducted at Lilu, a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, while on a campaign tour to Azhia, a neighboring community in the LGA.
Mr. Agbasimalo commanding so much attention from his people during the brief campaign era was tantamount to an overwhelming connection of love, respect and admiration from his people; which had set him on a roller-coaster for victory in the race.
It is however unfortunate that a man of such outstanding disposition, with crystal intentions to rejig politicking, putting the interest of his people as paramount could be obliterated without any strong resistance.
Mr Agbasimalo who had resigned from Zenith Bank where he had a burgeoned career of almost two decades to reborn the narratives in his state would meet such devastating waterloo.
I want to use this medium to first, stand in solidarity with his family in this trying period, his lovely wife and children, siblings and all members of his family, in optimism for this dark page of their lives to come to an end soonest.
Secondly, to appeal to all relevant agencies in this matter, the Police Force, SSS, Agunechemba, youth groups, town unions, the ongoing legal process, to etch into every closet, uncovering everyone involved in this sheer act of wickedness, for Justice to prevail; and reunite Mr Agbasimalo back to his family.
We can’t attest for sure, his present condition, but together regardless of party affiliations or religious partitions, we can actually unite our resources to jettison this evil menace cinching it’s non occurrence ever again.
This and other seeming evil are perpetuated because the security of Nigerians are not placed on the cadre of National importance, hence the reoccurring prevalent trend of kidnaps, abduction, murder, assassination, theft and other inhumane crime.
The future of this nation beckons on us all to leave whatever partition we have behind, collectively to build a Nigeria where security is topmost priority; Nigerians are safe and can carry out their obligations without fear of harassment or abduction – this we know is possible.
