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This is even as four other members of the party were said to have been arrested by security operatives.
Meanwhile, the ACN which withdrew from the polls also rejected the election results, claiming irregularities.
The kidnapped candidate who was vying from the position in Asari-Tolu LGA was allegedly kidnapped in the early hours of yesterday.
The arrested members were, however, allegedly picked up in Obio/Akpor LGA before voting commenced.
Details of the arrest of the party members were still hazy at the time of filing this report, but the state leadership of the party, described it as a deliberate attempt by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to intimidate and clamp down on the opposition in the state.
It was learnt that Horsfall was forced out of his car by some yet-to-be-identified persons at Emuoha, on his way to Asari-Toru about 7:45am at a place called Central Group at Ward 13 in Asa LGA, and whisked off to an unknown destination.
Confirming the kidnap, the chairman of the ACN in Asari-Toru LGA, Boma Abiyesuku, said: “I personally went to the police station to report when our candidate in the local government election was no where to be found.
“The police took my statement and I also reported the incident to the State Security Service (SSS). As I speak to you, we have not seen him and we have not heard from him since morning. We believe he has been kidnapped, or did he disappear into the air?”
Acting publicity secretary of the ACN in the state, Jerry Needam, also confirmed the incident, just as he alleged that the incident was masterminded by the ruling PDP. The incident has created tension in the area, although the police said they are on top of the situation.
Needam gave the names of the party members arrested as Hon. Lawrence Wagbara, Chief Innocent Ogbonna, Chief Ndidi Livingstone and Billy Woke, saying the last two were arrested in Ward 10.
But the Rivers State commissioner of police, Suleiman Abba, said it was not really a case of kidnap and that there was optimism that Horsfall would soon regain his freedom.
According to Abba, “We received a report about 8:30am today (Saturday) that the chairmanship candidate in Asari-Toru was kidnapped and I immediately sent two security teams to the area.
“My men have gotten in touch with him and I am sure, very soon, he will regain his freedom. So there is no cause for alarm. We are on top of the situation.”
Meanwhile, the ACN in Rivers has directed its supporters not to accept the results announced by the State Independent Electoral Commission on the outcome of Saturday’s council polls.
The local government election took place in 21 of the 23 councils in the state.
Mr Jerry Needam disclosed in Port Harcourt that the party had gone to court to restrain the commission from conducting the election.
He said that reports received by the ACN indicated that figures were being allocated to it by the electoral commission to give the impression that the party took part in the election.
A chietain of the ACN in Rivers State, King Tony Gboms, said the party withdrew from local goverment election in the state due to flaws on the side of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). Gboms, who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, accused RSIEC of violating some sections of the Electoral Act, 2010.
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