 |
| Late Barr. Oyibo Chukwu, LP Enugu Senatorial Candidate |
The Labour Party's senatorial candidate for the Enugu East senatorial district, Mr. Oyibo Chukwu, was killed and set ablaze on Wednesday night, causing palpable tension in the state capital of Enugu.
According to reports, the attack took place on Wednesday evening while he was travelling back to his country house of Agbani at Amechi Awkunanaw, the country residence of Chief Ken Nnamani, the former Senate President, and Chief Jim Nwobodo.
Also, five of his supporters who were allegedly in his car with him were apparently killed by the assailants.
Amechi Awkunanaw is in the state's Enugu South Local Government Area, a less than 10-minute drive from the State House.
Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, a Labour Party candidate for governor, has verified the terrible incidence.
According to him, the shooters shot Chukwu in his vehicle with five other persons with him and set their vehicles ablaze.
His statement reads:
"It is true that our senatorial candidate for Enugu East senatorial district for Saturday's election has been killed. It is clear that six of them are dead. They (gunmen) shot him with six others with him and set them ablaze.
"Our party members are being targeted for assassination by gunmen believed are working for some candidates that felt their chances in the forthcoming elections are threatened by the rise of Labour Party in the State. So, they are now targeting our members and supporters for assassination,"
In the meantime, attempts to contact the state police command for comment were fruitless because DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the command's spokesman, was unavailable by phone at the time this report was filed.
