The Abia Human Rights Initiative has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate for Abia North, David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, over the alleged assault of an Ohafia-born civil servant, Kalu Elekwa.
The group alleged that Elekwa was slapped and assaulted at the Ohafia Local Government Area secretariat while Bourdex was serving as Caretaker Mayor of the council.
In a statement signed by Roland Adindu, Esq., and Prince Kalu Okorie on behalf of the organisation and made available to journalists on Thursday in Umuahia, the group said the alleged incident should not be ignored because Bourdex has since moved on to seek another political office.
The organisation described the alleged treatment of Elekwa as unacceptable and unbecoming of anyone entrusted with public responsibility, accusing Bourdex of what it called a “clannish and irresponsible approach to leadership.”
“It remains disturbing that a civil servant could be slapped and assaulted at his place of work by someone occupying the highest political office in the local government at the time. Public office is a position of responsibility and trust, not an avenue to intimidate or humiliate citizens,” the statement said.
The group further questioned Bourdex’s suitability to represent the entire Abia North Senatorial District, describing him as “hot-tempered, intolerant and clannish” and accusing him of displaying what it termed “Abiriba irredentism” in his approach to public affairs.
It said Abia North’s diverse communities require a senator capable of accommodating differences and treating constituents equally, irrespective of their clan, community or political affiliation.
“A man seeking to represent the whole of Abia North cannot afford to see public leadership through the narrow prism of where people come from. Abia North is bigger than Abiriba, Ohafia or any individual community. A senator must represent Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi without discrimination.
“In our assessment, Bourdex has demonstrated a temperament that makes him unsuitable for public office. He is too hot-tempered and intolerant of opposing views, and his conduct raises serious questions about whether he possesses the restraint required of someone seeking such an important position.
“Public office requires patience. It requires tolerance. It requires the ability to manage provocation without resorting to intimidation or physical confrontation. Anyone who cannot exercise that restraint should not be entrusted with greater political authority,” the group said.
The organisation also demanded justice for Elekwa, stressing that his position as a civil servant did not diminish his right to dignity and protection.
“Kalu Elekwa is an Ohafia son, a civil servant and, above all, a human being deserving of dignity. Imagine going to your workplace to perform your legitimate duties only to be slapped and humiliated by someone who should ordinarily protect you as the head of the local government.
“This is why we cannot pretend that what happened does not matter simply because time has passed. Leadership must be judged not only by what politicians tell the electorate during campaigns but also by how they treated ordinary citizens when they previously held power,” the statement added.
Abia Human Rights Initiative therefore urged security agencies to revisit the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The group maintained that political status should not place anyone beyond the reach of law enforcement, insisting that alleged mistreatment of ordinary citizens must not be allowed to disappear without scrutiny.
“We are calling on the security agencies to immediately investigate this matter and take the necessary legal steps. Where the evidence establishes a criminal offence, Bourdex should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“The people of Abia North deserve leadership anchored on restraint, tolerance, responsibility and respect for human dignity. Political power must never become a licence to intimidate or humiliate ordinary citizens,” the statement said.
The group vowed to continue speaking against the abuse of citizens and what it described as divisive tendencies in public leadership, insisting that the dignity of ordinary people and the unity of Abia North must remain above individual political ambition.
