Leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide have condemned the reported killing of one Ms Khadijat Yahaya, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State.
The group asked security agencies to apprehend the killers and extend their investigation to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) leadership in the state and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka.
Khadijat was allegedly killed during a clash between supporters of the SDP and those of the APC in Kotonkarfe on September 29, 2023. The development has heightened tension in the confluence state ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election.
In a statement by the national president of Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the group tasked security agencies to ensure that all those behind the murder of the APC member were brought to book.
He said nobody should be seen as a sacred cow, adding that the police must demonstrate that every life matters in the country.
Okwu said: “This is necessary in order to instill confidence in the masses ahead of the polls. The taking of a life merely because of politics stands condemned in all ramifications.
“This calibre of violence and murder if not punished, would undermine the preparation for the polls; it will embolden those involved into committing more heinous crimes.
“We, therefore, charge the police to not only arrest those being fingered in the attack leading to the killing of the innocent woman, but to ensure that they are diligently prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“There are claims that the SDP governorship candidate was invited by the police for questioning but that he dishonoured the invitation; if that is true, we want to ask: is he above the law? It is only when justice is served that the people will believe in the system again.”
Okwu, who said the apex Igbo group was keenly watching political developments in Kogi State, urged the actors to stop seeing their ambition as a do or die affair.
He said, “Only one person will become governor at a time; people should not spill blood on their way to power. Politicians should stop instigating their supporters to attack and murder their opponents.”
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