The Labour Party has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone election in Enugu East Senatorial District following the death of its candidate, Oyibo Chukwu.
Mr Chukwu was murdered on Wednesday alongside his personal assistant, by some yet to be identified gunmen.
In its reaction to the shocking news, the Labour Party in a statement by its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, said the postponement is essential as to enable the party conduct a fresh primaries and participate in the election.
Abure argued that Enugu state is one of the states where the party enjoys maximum support and the LP candidate was on course to win the Enugu East senatorial seat in this election.
He asked INEC not to allow people to benefit or win election through other means particularly, by silencing a candidate who is loved by his people.
Barely 72 hours to the February 25, 2023 general election, our candidate for the Enugu East senatorial district, Honourable Oyibo Chukwu was gruesomely murdered and his remains set ablaze along with his vehicle.
The gunmen according to reports also killed were five of his supporters who were with him inside his car at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area on Wednesday evening.
It would be recalled that the Labour Party campaigns and political activities had been attacked on several occasions both in Enugu state and several other states
The national leadership of the Labour Party is disturbed by the level of attack on its candidates, officials and supporters across the nation. We condemn the act and we call on the security agents to be on top of the matter. It is becoming a tradition where people attack our candidates all over the country.
It would be recalled that our senatorial candidate in Ebonyi South, Hon Linus Okorie was kidnapped on his way to his house, in Ebonyi state on Sunday, October 16, 2022 allegedly by the personnel of the South East Vigilante outfit, Ebubeagu. He was tortured, incarcerated and denied his basic right for weeks.
