Tragedy has struck Nigeria’s opposition Labour Party ahead of the country’s national election, as one of its senatorial candidates was killed by unknown gunmen in southeastern Enugu State. According to Chinwuba Ngwu, the Labour Party chairman from the Enugu South local government area, Oyibo Chukwu was ambushed and killed on Wednesday night after attending a campaign event. Police have confirmed the incident, which occurred hours after the parties and presidential candidates signed a pledge to support a peaceful electoral process.
Al Jazeera correspondent Haru Mutasa reported from the site of the attack, describing how Chukwu was travelling in a convoy when armed men opened fire on it, killing the politician. The site of the attack was a narrow road along a wall, which turned black with soot as the Labour Party’s supporters set fire to the attacked vehicle. Mutasa noted that many of the shops in the area were shut due to a feeling of nervousness and uncertainty in the lead up to Saturday’s election.
Nigerians are due to elect their next president and lawmakers against a chaotic backdrop of armed conflict in the northeast, high levels of violent crime across the country, and shortages of cash, fuel and electricity. Senior Nigerian security analyst Bulama Bukarti identified three different parts of the country where three major armed groups have been carrying out violent crimes and extortions. He warned that fake news, conspiracy theories and false information on social media could exacerbate communal tensions, as the three major presidential candidates come from three major ethnic groups and three different parts of Nigeria.
The main candidates for president are former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, 70, who represents the ruling party; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 76, who represents the main opposition party; and Peter Obi, 61, an anti-establishment candidate popular among many young voters. Obi is running on the Labour Party ticket, and is particularly popular in the Igbo heartland in southeastern Nigeria.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu said it had the power under electoral law to suspend a poll in the event of a candidate’s death and set a new date within 14 days. However, processes had to be followed and no decision had been made yet in this case. US President Joe Biden has called for a peaceful, transparent election, urging parties and candidates to accept the results when they are published by INEC.
Tragedy has struck Nigeria’s opposition Labour Party ahead of the country’s national election, as one of its senatorial candidates was killed by unknown gunmen in southeastern Enugu State. Oyibo Chukwu was ambushed and killed on Wednesday night after attending a campaign event, according to Chinwuba Ngwu, the Labour Party chairman from the Enugu South local government area. Police have confirmed the incident, which occurred hours after the parties and presidential candidates signed a pledge to support a peaceful electoral process.
Al Jazeera correspondent Haru Mutasa reported from the site of the attack, describing how Chukwu was travelling in a convoy when armed men opened fire on it, killing the politician. The site of the attack was a narrow road along a wall, which turned black with soot as the Labour Party’s supporters set fire to the attacked vehicle. Mutasa noted that many of the shops in the area were shut due to a feeling of nervousness and uncertainty in the lead up to Saturday’s election.
Senior Nigerian security analyst Bulama Bukarti identified three different parts of the country where three major armed groups have been carrying out violent crimes and extortions. He warned that fake news, conspiracy theories and false information on social media could exacerbate communal tensions, as the three major presidential candidates come from three major ethnic groups and three different parts of Nigeria.
The main candidates for president are former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, 70, who represents the ruling party; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 76, who represents the main opposition party; and Peter Obi, 61, an anti-establishment candidate popular among many young voters. Obi is running on the Labour Party ticket, and is particularly popular in the Igbo heartland in southeastern Nigeria.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu said it had the power under electoral law to suspend a poll in the event of a candidate’s death and set a new date within 14 days. However, processes had to be followed and no decision had been made yet in this case. US President Joe Biden has called for a peaceful, transparent election, urging parties and candidates to accept the results when they are published by INEC. He stated that all Nigerians deserve “the chance to choose their future — freely and fairly”.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, biggest economy and top oil producer. It switched from army rule to democracy in 1999 but its elections have long been plagued by violence and fraud. The country is currently facing chaotic conditions such as armed conflict in the northeast, high levels of violent crime across the country, and shortages of cash, fuel and electricity.
The tragic death of Oyibo Chukwu has cast a dark shadow over Nigeria’s upcoming election. The incident highlights how violence and insecurity remain widespread in certain parts of the country due to armed groups carrying out criminal activities. It is essential that all parties involved adhere to President Biden’s call for a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of Nigerians.