ACN National Vice Chairman Murdered By His Abductors In Delta State

Dr. Chudi Nwike, the former Deputy Governor of Anambra State who was kidnapped on March 19, has been killed by his kidnappers who had demanded a N30 million ($187,500) ransom.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said that the body was identified at the Agbor Police Station in Delta State by the Anambra State Chairman of the party, Chief Amaechi Obidike, State Secretary Barr Emeka Ibe, and the victim’s brother, Dr.Bufo Nwike.

Nwike’s family had negotiated and paid a ransom of N5m ($31,250) prior to the discovery of the body, Bufo Nwike handled the negotiations and arranged to pay to the kidnappers at an undisclosed location in Delta State.

ACN, members  have expressly condemned the gruesome murder of one of their leaders.

Chris Ngige and Julius Ucha, the ACN leaders in Anambra and Ebonyi respectively, who both serve as senators in the national assembly, released a statement expressing shock at the murder of Nwike. They called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and called on the government to ensure property security of lives and properties.

On his part, the governor of the state of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, said that “the continued success of criminal gangs in whatever shade is capable of putting fear in the citizens, jeopardize our freedom and put democracy at grave risk.”

His statement which was issued by his spokesman, Semiu Okanlawon, said that everyone is potentially a victim of this upsurge in kidnapping for ransom, hence it has to be stamped out.

“The dastardly act must receive its just recompense of reward," he said.

"I am hereby imploring the law enforcement agencies to fish out the killers of Dr Nwike, bring them to justice and establish deterrence in the land.

“Dr Nwike was a complete gentleman, a grassroots mobiliser and a progressive politician who dreamt big for the greatness of Nigeria and freedom of all men. He was a loyal party man and a great pan-Nigerianist."

Meanwhile a former senatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Ben Nwoye, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over Nwike’s murder.

In his opinion, the alarming rate of insecurity in the country is attributable to bad governance by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)