President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday has ordered security agencies to track down the killers of the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District, Oyibo Chukwu, and his aide.
Buhari also condemned the killing, saying the culprits had no respect for human life and dignity, and therefore, “deserve the wrath of natural and divine justice.”
Read Also: Enugu Labour Party Senatorial Candidate, Several Others Murdered
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Friday titled, ‘President Buhari condemns killing of Oyibo Chukwu, LP’s senatorial candidate in Enugu.’
Chukwu was reportedly attacked on Thursday while returning from a campaign rally in Agbani, in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.The gunmen had opened fire on his convoy, killing five of his supporters and his aide. The assailants also reportedly burnt his body.
The killing happened barely three days before the senatorial election scheduled for today but which was later moved to March 11 by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
But reacting to the incident, Buhari said
He believes that the perpetrators of this ignoble act, in Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, deserved the wrath of natural and divine justice.He reminded all political actors that it is the choice of the electorate that counts, and therefore all eligible Nigerians should boldly exercise their civic rights without any fear of intimidation.
Therefore, he directed “all security agencies to track down the culprits of this heinous crime.”
Buhari also commiserated with families of the victims, the Nigerian Bar Association and the Labour Party even as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and comfort for those who mourn.
Although the senatorial candidate’s death sent shockwaves through the southeast, it was not the first attempt on the lives of individuals vying for public office, especially from the Labour Party whose growing influence in the region has unsettled the opposition.
On August 31, 2022 gunmen attacked LP members in Nenwe, Aninri Local Government Area of the state.
On September 4, LP members came under attack during a meeting in Awgu community, in the Awgu Local Government Area of the state.
Last December, the LP House of Representatives candidate for Onuimo Local Government Area Constituency in Imo State, Christopher Eleghu, was killed by unidentified gunmen.Meanwhile, the Joint National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, have condemned the killing of Oyibo Chukwu, and all acts of election violence.
Read Also: Enugu State: INEC Reacts To Oyibo Chukwu’s Death
In a joint statement, the groups said,
We strongly condemn the assassination of Mr Oyibo Chukwu, the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Enugu East, and all acts of election violence.
We call on all political actors to join us in this condemnation. We urge authorities to act swiftly in the investigation of this heinous act and bring those responsible to justice.
Family kicks
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has alleged Chukwu was killed for his popularity and demanded a thorough and unbiased investigation into the gruesome murder of their son.
The younger brother of the deceased, Prof Arthur, who addressed journalists on behalf of the family, said that their brother had confided in some persons that he was being trailed by members of a group loyal to one of senatorial candidates in the district.
Chukwu said,
In fact, in the morning of Wednesday, February 22, 2022, the very day he was killed in the most cowardly manner, he told some persons that he was going to write a petition to the security and intelligence agencies in Enugu State on the plans to eliminate him, so that the agencies could investigate the persons involved and nip their evil plans in the bud.
Our harmless son was not only assassinated, his remains were burnt, together with his vehicle. His well-trusted personal assistant, Mr Sunday Igwesi, who was with him in the same vehicle, was also killed and incinerated in the same manner.
Chief Oyibo Chukwu became the assassination target because of the stupendous popularity of the Labour Party in Enugu State in particular and the rest of the country in general, as well as his stellar credentials. He was coasting home to victory by the time assassins stopped him.
It was not just Chief Chukwu they stopped, but the entire Enugu East Senatorial Zone whose people have for several years been yearning for effective representation in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, by extension, good governance.
