One person sustained serious injury while others were manhandled during an alleged attack on members of Registration and Revalidation Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra state.
The victim, Ejike Kanu, Youth Leader and Supervisory Committee member, was reportedly injured by suspected thugs allegedly hired by an aide to one of the governorship aspirants in the state.
The Nation gathered the victim was seriously beaten over his refusal to hand over the registration materials to the faction of the aspirant.
An eye witness, who preferred anonimity said: “Violence erupted in Ajalli when some thugs were led into the distribution centre in the presence of the State Caretaker Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike and National Registration Committee Members, who came to know why the materials are yet to get to polling units.
“They attacked Ejike Kanu who has for the past two days refused to be compromised or allow the materials to be diverted.
“Kanu, as a Member of the Committee, stressed they were under instructions not to allow anybody take control of the materials, a development that did not go down well with the thugs.”
The witness further alleged the State Caretaker Chairman and members of the National Registration Committee were not spared as they were also manhandled while attempting to stop the thugs from destroying the materials and further attacking Kanu.
An APC stalwart, who did not want his name on print, said the incident might not be unconnected with rumours making round that the party might adopt direct primaries, which would enable registered party members to vote for the nomination of the party’s candidate for the November poll.
The Nation further learnt that materials for Oyi Local Government were still with the Registration committee over fear of attack while that of Ogbaru Local Government were still at the Atani Police Station.
“Onitsha North is yet to receive their materials as some thugs have also sworn to disrupt the exercise if the materials are not handed over to them.
“Leader of the committee, Mr Tallest was seriously molested by these thugs on Wednesday night and out of fear, he abandoned the materials and has refused to come back for it,” a party source said.
The victim is in an undisclosed hospital where he is receiving medical attention as at the time of this report.
Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed did not pick his calls but the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area said he did not receive any formal report of the incident.
“I only saw some party members with some materials while I was entering my office. But no formal complaint was made at the station concerning the disruption of the exercise,” he added.
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