News Investigators/ Report just reaching us indicates that members of the Appeal Panel for the Imo North Senatorial District bye-election have been held hostage at gunpoint at the Government House, Owerri.
Two winners have emerged in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the senatorial by-election for Imo North Senatorial District which held on Thursday.
They are Senators Ifeanyi Araraume and Chief Frank Ibezim.
Two factions of the party had held parallel primaries across the six local government areas in the district to produce candidates for the senatorial by-election.
The result of the direct primaries held indicated that Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has emerged as candidate.
However, a faction, loyal to Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has produced Frank Ibezim as its candidate.
Although, the claim could not be independently vetified, a source within the Imo Government House said gunmen are currently holding the Appeal Panel members hostage, with the intent to force them to endorse Mr. Ibezim.
“As l’m talking to you now, the officials are being held at gunpoint to compel them to endorse Ibezim even when the result has not been officially declared,” the source said in a telephone call to our office.
