Row over Abaribe’s botched kidnap

As dusts generated by the victory of Governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji at the Appeal Court are beginning to settle, fresh trouble is brewing in Abia state between the ruling Progressive Peoples Alliance(PPA) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) concerning the recent failed kidnap/assassination attempt on a serving senator from the state. (Picture left shows Senator Abaribe)

It will be recalled that an armed gang, in the Ngwa area of the state, attacked the convoy of Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe, one-time deputy governor, and, presently, senator representing Abia South District, killing one of his security aides. It is believed that the gang was on a mission to either kidnap or assassinate the senator.

The fight, this time around, revolves round a controversial press release allegedly credited to the PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Hon. Henry Agbaeze, over the bloody attack on Abaribe’s convoy.

Hon. Agbaeze, in rebuttal entitled: ‘Re: Abia PDP Reacts to the Botched Kidnap/Assassination of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe‘, vehemently denied endorsing the said press release. He contended that that the statement emanating from his office ought to be on a letter-headed paper bearing the party's logo. But such a vital element, he said, was conspicuously absent in the controversial document.

Agbaeze threatened to sue the Guardian newspaper for libel and defamation for failing to cross-check its facts before going to town with the story.

Part of Agbaeze’s rebuttal read: ‘I refer to the above press release dated Tuesday 26th May, 2009 which was, in error, credited to me. In view of that, I want to state as follows: (1) That I did not write, cause to write or authorize anyone to issue such press release. (ii) I was neither part, consulted nor my consent sought by the author(s) of the press release. (iii) Whatever is the intention and, as well, the fear of the writer for not putting his/her name but rather decided to use my name without my consent, is done in bad faith, an act condemnable. This level of impersonation violates and infringes on my Fundamental Human rights. Such attrition and campaign of calumny must be condemned by all.’

Continuing, Agbaeze stated: ‘In view of the foregoing, I, therefore, regret and apologize to everyone, especially, my leaders and Abia State Government for the pains and dis-equilibrium such misleading press release must have course (sic) them".

He, further, alleged that his life has come under serious threats since the failed kidnap saga, noting that PDP leadership in the state is taking necessary steps to alert the security agencies to ensure his safety.

Meanwhile, the state's radio outfit, Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA), has been awash with press releases by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, Sam Hart, calling for the head of Hon. Agbaeze.

Agbaeze has been lambasted for his alleged ‘unguarded utterances‘ over the failed kidnap of Senator Abaribe. The state governor attacks Agbaeze for allegedly referring to Abia as a ‘failed state‘, even as he was described as a political jobber who stays in Abuja to emit lies concerning issues in state.