The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has expressed shock over the alleged involvement of one of its members in the kidnapping and death of a traditional ruler, Francis Igwe, father of former deputy governor Kelechi Igwe.
The reaction followed reports indicating that the party’s state publicity secretary may have been linked to the crime.
The state chairman of the APC, Stanley Okoro‑Emegha, expressed the party’s position on Saturday when he led a delegation on a condolence visit to the late monarch’s family in Ndufu‑Alike, located in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.
Okoro-Emegha described the allegation as shocking and difficult for party members to comprehend.
According to him, the report linking a party executive to the crime left him deeply disturbed and embarrassed.
“The report is unheard of. For the past two days, I have not had the confidence to face the public because of the gravity of the allegation,” he said.
He added that many party members were equally stunned that someone associated with the APC could be connected with such a crime.
“We operate like a family within the party. Members often vouch for one another despite our political activities.
”This development has therefore been extremely shocking,” he stated.
The APC chairman stressed that the party would support whatever steps the state government takes to ensure justice in the matter.
He noted that the state governor, as both the political leader of the party and the head of the state, would not tolerate such an act regardless of who is implicated.
“The governor cannot condone such an evil act, no matter who is involved. Evil must be condemned wherever it is found,” he said.
Okoro-Emegha also insisted that anyone connected to the crime, including those who may have had knowledge of it but failed to report it, should face the full consequences under the law.
During the visit, he urged the family of the deceased to remain strong in the face of the tragedy, noting that their courage would help provide comfort to others affected by the loss.
“The worst thing anyone can do against God is to take a life they did not create,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the community, the palace secretary, Johnson Aloh, thanked the APC delegation for their visit and described the incident as devastating for the community.
He said residents were deeply shocked by the development, particularly given Ebonyi’s reputation as one of the peaceful states in the region.
Aloh added that although the alleged involvement of a party member had cast a shadow on the APC’s image, the community understood that the actions of an individual should not be attributed to the entire party.
“While the incident has deeply saddened us, we know the party itself cannot support such an act,” he said.
He urged the party leadership to continue supporting efforts to ensure justice and prevent individuals whose actions could damage the state’s reputation from operating unchecked.
