Oyibo Chukwu: INEC gives LP condition to replace slain Enugu East senatorial election candidate

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Labour Party (LP) can still participate in the Enugu East Senatorial Zone election, this Saturday, February 25, despite the shifting of the exercise to a later date.

INEC National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu who announced the shift during a press briefing in Abuja, Friday afternoon, said the exercise in Enugu East will now hold on March 11.

LP’s candidate in the election, Barrister Oyibo Chukwu was assassinated Wednesday evening, by gunmen, said to be renegades of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) of the Independent People Of Biafra (IPOB), according to the Enugu Police Command.

The LP candidate, Chukwu was killed and set ablaze at Amechi Awkunanaw in Enugu South council, last Wednesday, after gunmen opened fire on his convoy.

However, despite the shifting of the senatorial election in the Enugu, INEC says the LP can still participate in exercise despite the death of its candidate, Barr. Chukwu.

Fielding questions by reporters on what becomes of the Labour Party following Chukwu’s death, INEC Chairman, said the law is very clear on what should be done.

“The law is very clear on what should be done. The law provides for countermanding the election in the constituency where the political party has lost a candidate but wishes to continue to participate in the election. But, as we speak, the Commission has not received any official notification from the political party.

“As soon as the Commission received official information and it is satisfied with the cause of death, it would apply the provisions of the law,” Prof. Yakubu said.

Meanwhile, INEC has now asked the Labour Party to conduct another primary election in 14 days to replace the slain Chukwu.

Speaking at the secretariat of the party, State Chairman in Enugu State, Hon Casmir Agbo said the LP has written to INEC informing it of Chukwu’s demise.

“INEC advised us and we met and wrote to INEC Abuja through the National Headquarters in line with Section 33 and 34. The party has 14 days to nominate another candidate for substitution.

“In line with the Electoral Act, we have done what we ought to do and yesterday INEC cancelled the election. We will hold our primary election in the next 14 days.

“So the election has been cancelled and a new date will be fixed by INEC.”

Providing more details on the death of the party’s senatorial candidate for Enugu East, Agbo insisted that contrary to claims in some quarters, the Senatorial candidate was assassinated.

“Someone who was shot in his vehicle and set ablaze.

“They planned it; the man was coming back from his village Amuri and they double crossed him at Amechi. They shot him in his car alongside other occupants and poured fuel in his vehicle and burnt it. So it wasn’t an accident or armed robbery; nothing like that. It was well planned and executed.

“He was murdered. Oyibo Chukwu was murdered by assailants. Investigations are still on but the party sees it as a political murder.

“His death will not deter the party; it will rather act as a boost. We won’t lose another person, but we shall win this election in a landslide victory.

“Enugu East belongs to the Labour Party. Enugu State belongs to the Labour Party. Killing somebody will not deter us.”

Also reacting, President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, strongly condemned the gruesome killing of Barrister Chukwu.

A statement by the Presidency quoted President Buhari as expressing the belief ‘that 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 reminds 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 directed security agencies to track down the culprits of this heinous crime, even as he commiserates with families of the victims, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Labour Party.

“He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and comfort for those who mourn,” read the statement.