The Enugu East Senatorial election, which was originally scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, February 25, 2023, has been postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The cancellation followed the assassination of Labour Party candidate for election, Barr. Oyibo Chukwu.
Chukwu and five others were allegedly set ablaze while returning to Enugu.
Hon Casmir Agbo, State Chairman of the Labour Party, described the candidate’s death as shocking.
Agbo, who spoke to journalists at the party’s secretariat, said the LP notified INEC of Chukwu’s death.
Oyibo Chukwu was said to have been attacked while returning from a campaign trip in the Agbani area.
He was said to have been burnt inside his vehicle, and three persons were suspected to be with him in the vehicle but it was not yet known how many of the occupants were killed.
It was also learned that the APC governorship candidate in the state, Uche Nnaji was also attacked at the spot where the Labour candidate was killed.
In the same vein, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned in strong terms the gruesome killing of Chief Oyibo Chukwu and his personal aide.
The President, in a release issued on Friday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, believed the perpetrators of this ignoble act, in Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, have no respect for human life and dignity, and therefore deserve the wrath of natural and divine justice.
The President affirmed his avowed commitment to an election that is devoid of violence and rancour.
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.
The President, therefore, directed security agencies to track down the culprits of this heinous crime, just as he commiserated with families of the victims, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Labour Party.
President Buhari prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and comfort for those who mourn.
