By Ovat Abeng
A former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has visited the family of the kidnapped Labour Party’s governorship candidate during the 2021 Anambra governorship election, Obiora Agbasimalo.
During the visit at their home in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, Obi also commiserated with the family over the death of Pa Emmanuel Agbasimalo, the father of the kidnapped victim. Pa Emmanuel died on May 20, 2024.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the photos of his visit were shared by the wife of the kidnapped victim, Eucharia Agbasimalo, on her social media handle.
The Labour Party governorship candidate was kidnapped at Azia community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, on his way to attending a political function in September 2021 and his whereabouts have remained unknown till date.
The family said Obi visited them to commiserate with them over their missing son and during the visit, the former Anambra governor learnt that they were also grieving over the death of the father of the missing LP candidate.
They added that Obi commiserated with the family over the death and also showed empathy that their son, who was kidnapped in Anambra since 2021, has not been found.
They described Obi’s visit to the family as a mark of love, noting that his visit to condole and sympathise with the family at a time they are still looking for their missing son and also mourning the death of their patriarch, was largely appreciated by the family.
The caption read, “The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate paid a visit to the family of Obiora Agbasimalo, the kidnapped 2021 Anambra LP governorship candidate. During the visit, Mr Obi also learnt of the recent demise of the victim’s father, Engr. Emmanuel Agbasimalo and thereafter commiserated with the family.
“The visit, which is coming at a time when the leadership of the Labour Party at the national and state levels have abandoned their governorship candidate, who is still in the captivity of kidnappers, was largely appreciated by the family in particular.
“Engr. Emmanuel Agbasimalo died while thinking and waiting for the return of his son, who has been kidnapped since September 2021 and his whereabouts still unknown. Obi assured the family that he would use his good offices to get to the root of the matter and ensure that justice is served.”
The family also called on Labour Party at both national and state levels to show seriousness and responsibility in looking for their missing candidate.
They also called on all well-meaning Nigerians and Ndi Anambra to lend their voices and join them in seeking justice for their missing son. While also calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and security operatives to make public their findings in the investigations as they continue to ask “#whereisObioraAgbasimalo”.
They also carpeted the national Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Julius Abure along with Clement Ojukwu and all members of the national executive of the party for abandoning their governorship candidate who was kidnapped at the peak of election campaign during the last governorship election in Anambra State in 2021.
Recall that two persons are currently standing trial at the Nnewi High Court over the matter.