PDP National Vice Chairman raises alarm over alleged threat to life by Enugu guber candidate

Ray Nnaji, national vice chairman (South-East) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that his life was under threat from the party’s governorship candidate in Enugu State, Samson Chukwu Nnamani, following Samson’s suspension from the party.

Addressing journalists in Enugu on Wednesday, Nnaji claimed that Nnamani threatened him during a telephone conversation on May 23 after the PDP suspended him over alleged anti-party activities.

According to Nnaji, “On the 23rd of this month, he called me after 11 a.m. to tell me that I am a liar and that he is going to deal with me. He also said that whatever sickness happening to him should visit me.”

Nnaji said he initially dismissed the remarks as a joke but later became alarmed by subsequent developments.

He explained that the suspension was decided on May 22 after the party accused Nnamani of engaging in activities capable of undermining the PDP.

He added that the governorship candidate was given an opportunity to defend himself but allegedly failed to do so.

The PDP zonal chairman further alleged that after participating in a radio programme where issues surrounding Nnamani’s suspension and alleged parallel party primaries were discussed, he was denied access to a gym facility located inside Nnamani’s hotel.

Nnaji claimed he had been using the gym for over 10 years and had already paid for  two-month subscription before he was allegedly barred from entry on Nnamani’s instruction.

“I was doing my exercise when two security men approached me and told me that Samson Chukwu Nnamani said I should no longer be allowed into the gym because I am now a security risk,” he alleged.

He said the incident compelled him to alert the public and security agencies.

“I want the press and the world to know that my life is in danger as far as Samson Chukwu Nnamani is concerned because he has said he is going to deal with me,” Nnaji stated.

He linked the disagreement to controversies surrounding alleged parallel PDP primaries in which, according to him, some individuals purportedly emerged as candidates outside the recognised party structure.

Nnaji maintained that the PDP leadership rejected the outcome of the alleged parallel exercise, insisting that the party would not tolerate indiscipline.

On his next line of action, the PDP vice chairman disclosed that he would seek legal redress over the alleged breach of his gym contract and formally petition security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), over the alleged threats.

“I will write to the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, and the DSS to intimate them about the threat so they will be aware,” he said.

However, reacting to the allegations, Nnamani denied threatening Nnaji’s life.

The PDP governorship candidate stated that he merely instructed his hotel manager to stop Nnaji from using the gym facility following his alleged involvement in the suspension.

“I don’t have time for such things. The only issue was that he came to my house last Wednesday seeking financial assistance, and I gave him N3 million,” Nnamani said.

“Immediately the money was sent to him, he advised me to honour the PDP meeting for clarification, but I told him I was on drip and could not attend.

“Later, I received a message that I had been purportedly suspended from the party. So, I instructed my manager to stop him from using my gym because such a person could be dangerous.

“Maybe, he thought I would ask him to refund the money, but I gave him the money wholeheartedly. Let him provide evidence of any threat to his life as he claimed,” Nnamani added.