Abducted' Nigerian State Governor back in office

Lagos- Nigeria (PANA) -- Governor Chris Ngige of Nigeria's southeastern State of Anambra has returned to his office, from where he claimed to have been abducted Thursday by some people acting in collusion with the police, the local press reported Friday.
But a committee set up by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which controls the state, continues a meeting of major stakeholders in an attempt to find a solution to the political crisis, the worst of its kind since the last general elections in the country.
A meeting of all governors of southeastern states is also scheduled later Friday to discuss the event, which political analysts have described as a "failed civilian coup.
" Anambra State parliament, claiming Ngige had resigned, promptly ordered the Chief Judge to swear in Deputy Governor Okechukwu Ude, who immediately assumed the functions of the State governor.
Though the police claimed Ngige was only taken into "protective custody," the embattled governor reiterated Friday he was abducted, as hundreds of supporters from all the 21 local government areas of the state welcomed him to the State House.
"The detention of a governor.
.
.
for five hours portends great danger to our democracy," Ngige told a crowd of his supporters.
"I have not resigned.
I am strong and fit to govern Anambra.
I appeal to all of you to remain calm.
This particular ill-wind will blow past.
I will not succumb to any blackmail," he stressed.
Ngige's supporters barred the Deputy Governor from entering the State House.
Though the real cause of the crisis is unclear, Ngige hinted it was the handwork of his political godfather, Chris Uba.
He alleged that his abductors, whom he claimed were acting on behalf of Uba, demaded a ransom of three billion Naira from him.
(126 Naira=1USD).
Indications are that the crisis was sparked by disagreements between the governor and the people who helped him to power in the 19 April gubernatorial elections.
The crisis erupted as President Olusegun Obasanjo was attending the African Union summit in Maputo, Mozambique.
He is expected back in the country shortly to receive visiting US President George W.
Bush, who is due in the capital city of Abuja Friday evening on the last leg of a five-nation Africa tour.
11 juillet 2003 17:02:00

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