Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Yet-to-be identified gunmen, Wednesday, assassinated and burnt the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party for Enugu East Senatorial District, Mr Oyibo Chukwu.
The assassins also murdered five supporters of the senatorial candidate who were with him inside his car during the attack.
The incident which happened at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area, has thrown residents of the area into panic.
Confirming the incident, LP governorship candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, described it as atrocious and iniquitous.
He said that the late Chukwu was shot inside his car by his attackers before setting the vehicle on fire.
The former Commissioner claimed that members of Labour Party had been targets of attacks and political killings by those who felt threatened by the rising popularity of the party.
“It is true that our senatorial candidate for Enugu East senatorial district for Saturday’s election has been killed. They (gunmen) shot him and five others and set them ablaze.
“Our party members are being targeted for assassination by political parties that felt threatened by the rise of the Labour Party in the state and are afraid they may lose the Saturday’s election.”
Ikengaonline reports that the Labour Party campaigns and political activities had been severally disrupted in Enugu State.
The ugly development had resulted into the wounding of scores of party faithful and destruction of property worth millions of Naira.
Reaction, however, could not be extracted from the police as the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in charge of the state, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, could not be reached.
