The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has expressed shock over the assassination of one of its leaders and the lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.
The lawmaker was abducted on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, by gunmen while returning home on Ugwunaobankpa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha, and his decomposing body was found around the Second Niger Bridge on Wednesday, February 5.8
The National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the party was traumatised over the sad development.“We are presently traumatised by this death and that of other deaths that have become a daily occurrence in Anambra State, a state that is gradually assuming a Hobbesian status under the administration of Prof. Charles Soludo.
“Anambra has fully assumed the state of war, where life has suddenly become nasty, brutish and short, because the present leadership has completely lost the willpower to enforce law and sanity.“We are pained because not long ago, the LP candidate in the last governorship election in Anambra State, Obiora Agbasimelo, was abducted while campaigning, and as we speak, his whereabouts are still unknown.“Neither the security agencies nor the government could account for his disappearance and his family has been left traumatised.
“The whole essence of a government is to provide security and well-being for the people; that constitutional provision is lacking in Anambra State at present.“It is unbelievable and unspeakable that a personality as high as a legislator could be abducted for over a month and the government was incapable of rescuing him.
“Though information has it that the police have made arrests of some suspects, we are, however, calling for a proper and deeper investigation to unravel the real culprits.“We are not in any way suggesting political motives. That would be left for the security agencies to determine.
However, we are not unmindful of the circumstances that led to his regaining his mandate after a court ruling ousted the previous winner from another party, who was initially declared the winner of the 2023 election.“We are, therefore, calling on all our party members in Anambra State to maintain peace and allow the security agencies to diligently carry out their duties.We also encourage them not to be dampened by this unfortunate incident but rather remain focused on the activities ahead.“On behalf of the National Chairman of the LP, Julius Abure, national executive committee and the state executive committee, we pray that the Almighty God will grant the deceased eternal rest. We also condole the immediate family and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Obiora said.
