The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State has adopted the family of the late Elder Onwe Ubochi and called on security agencies to intensify their investigation and unmask those responsible for his death, while warning supporters and youths against retaliation.
The party's leaders made the appeal during a condolence visit to the deceased's family at Osege, Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State, following the death of Elder Ubochi, who was found dead a day after a political event in the area.
Leading the delegation, the APGA Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, Chief Chikaodili Ojimba, described the incident as unfortunate and said the bereaved family should not consider itself abandoned in its moment of grief.
Ojimba, who conveyed his condolences to the widow, children and other members of the family, said the deceased was regarded as a member of the wider APGA family and assured them of continued support.
He said, “Mama, my brother and other members of Ubochi's family, the truth of the matter is that your father is one of us, and none of us here is happy over the incident that took place.
“We are here to console you. We are here to tell you that you are not alone. We are here to tell you that all of us, including those who are not physically here, are with you.
“It is an unfortunate incident, but we cannot question God. As far as this incident is concerned, this family has devoted itself to pursuing justice. Morning, afternoon and night, we stand with you.”
The senatorial candidate urged security agencies to expedite the investigation, describing the death of the elderly man as painful and deserving of urgent attention by relevant law enforcement authorities.
“I call on all the security agencies to speed up the investigation of this incident. It is very pathetic that an elderly man of that age would die under circumstances such as these. The security apparatus should take decisive action, conclude the investigation and bring whoever committed the crime to book,” Ojimba said.
He expressed confidence that the Ebonyi State Government and security institutions would take the matter seriously, adding that those responsible must be identified through a thorough and professional investigation.
According to him, “God knows everything that happened, but as human beings, we must do what is within our powers. I know how seriously the government of this state takes issues like this, and I know that the family and relevant authorities will pursue the matter.
“What happened to this family happened to all of us. The family should be consoled and should know that it is not standing alone.”
Also speaking, the APGA candidate for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, said justice for the deceased remained a collective responsibility and appealed to security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators and any other persons found culpable were brought to justice.
Ogalagu said the death had generated deep concern among members of the political family and residents of the area, but stressed that the response must remain within the confines of the law.
He said, “We are made to understand that investigation has commenced, and I want to assure the family that justice must be done. I have confidence in the capacity of the police, the Department of State Services and other relevant security agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly.
“The perpetrators and architects of this crime must be brought to book," he hinted.
The federal constituency candidate, however, issued a strong warning against reprisals, urging APGA supporters, youths and members of the bereaved family not to take the law into their own hands.
“Do not retaliate. Leave vengeance to God and the security agencies. We are not asking anybody, in any capacity, to go and beat, attack or fight anybody because of this incident.
“If you are a supporter of APGA and you want to fight for us, do not go and fight anybody. Go and pray. If you have information that can assist the investigation, report it to the nearest police station or appropriate security agency,” he said.
Ogalagu urged residents to remain vigilant and volunteer credible information that could assist investigators, saying intelligence gathering and community cooperation would be critical to unravelling the circumstances surrounding the death.
He added, “If you hear or see anything that may be useful to the investigation, whether in your community, church, market or anywhere else, do not take it for granted. Put your ears on the ground and pass the information to the appropriate authorities.
“We must ensure that those responsible for the death of Elder Ubochi are unravelled, but it must be done lawfully and through the appropriate security and judicial processes.”
He also cautioned individuals against exploiting the incident to settle personal scores or instigate fresh violence in the area.
“Political issues should remain political issues. Nobody should take advantage of what has happened to pursue a personal quarrel or drag innocent people into unnecessary conflict. We are a peaceful organisation, and we must conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes peace and stability,” he said.
Ogalagu disclosed that the Zelunjo Foundation and the wider Zelunjo family had adopted the bereaved family and would continue to identify with them.
“Their cry is our cry, and their worry is our worry. We have adopted them as family members. Whenever we visit here, we are not coming as strangers; we are coming as members of the family,” he said.
The APGA candidate said that while no amount of support could replace the deceased, the political family would continue to provide solidarity and stand with the family throughout the period of mourning and the pursuit of justice.
The State Chairman of APGA, Chukwudi Nwankwo, who also addressed the gathering, assured the family that the party would not abandon the matter and would continue to demand accountability through lawful channels.
He said, “This family is our family, and we will continue coming here. We will continue to show support and solidarity.
“Please, continue to maintain peace. Be calm and rest assured that the party will not joke with this matter. We will use every lawful and available means to engage the relevant security agencies and ensure that justice is pursued.
“Do not go into fights or revenge. Just remain calm. We have what it takes to pursue this matter through the appropriate channels.”
Also speaking, the President of the Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly, Comrade Emmanuel Onah, said youths in Ohaukwu LGA were deeply saddened by the incident but would remain law-abiding and allow security agencies to carry out their investigation.
Onah said, “The youths of Ohaukwu are not happy about what happened, but as their leader, I promise that we will maintain peace and tranquillity. We are waiting for a positive outcome from the investigation.
“I visited the family earlier and saw that investigation had commenced. We commend those who have come to identify with the family and we urge the security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and give the people the answers they are seeking.”
The younger brother of the deceased, Mr Monday Ubochi, said the family was devastated by the death and appealed to the government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible were identified and prosecuted.
He explained that the late Ubochi participated in a political event in the community before he was reported missing and was subsequently found dead the following day.
According to him, “Our brother attended the event and participated in the activities that took place. After the event, the next news was that he was nowhere to be found. When we finally found him, he was dead.
“We have no option but to believe that God and the government will help us to bring whoever committed this act to book.”
Monday said the deceased, who was believed to be between 76 and 80 years old, was found near a river and left behind children and other family members.
He confirmed that some persons had been taken into custody in the course of the investigation, although he said he could not independently confirm the number of those arrested or the extent of their alleged involvement.
“As far as I know, people were invited and questioned in the course of the investigation. We believe the police are doing their work, and we want the truth to come out,” he said.
The widow of the deceased, Mrs Ogba Onwe Ubochi, and other members of the family received the APGA delegation as political leaders, community members and sympathisers prayed for the repose of the deceased and comfort for his family.
The death of Elder Ubochi has heightened concerns over political and communal tensions in parts of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
The candidate for Ohaukwu South State Constituency, Onyeoma Kelechi, among other APGA leaders who were at the condolence visit, however, maintained that the incident must not be allowed to trigger reprisals or further violence, insisting that any person or group with information relating to the matter should cooperate with the relevant security agencies.
The party leaders said their demand was for a comprehensive, impartial and intelligence-driven investigation capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding the death, identifying any suspects linked to the incident and ensuring that those found culpable face the full weight of the law.
They also appealed to residents to avoid speculation, inflammatory statements and unverified accusations that could compromise the investigation or escalate tension, while reiterating their commitment to peace, justice and the rule of law.
