A clash between supporters of the Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikwo and Ohaozara local government areas of Ebonyi State on Thursday, has left at least two persons dead.
One brand new Hiace bus was burnt down and properties worth millions of niara were destroyed during the attack.
Several others including the Ohaozara West candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Chukwu Obini, were brutalized following another round of attacks by some suspected thugs allegedly working for the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ohaozara and Ikwo Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.
Coordinator of Ikwo Central Development Center, Chief Linus Amaga confirmed the death of Mr. Ogo Nwakpu of Agubia Ikwo in Ikwo Local Government Area of the State.
He alleged that the deceased who was attacked by some Peoples Democratic Party thugs after the Labour Party campaign rally in the community died following complications that arose from the injuries he sustained during the attack.
He said another victim is still lying critical in the hospital.
Chief Amaga regretted that in the last one month, over 20 Labour Party supporters in the local government had been attacked and seriously injured by some suspected thugs allegedly working for the PDP.
“The PDP members. have resorted to attacking supporters and candidates of the party following the rejection of its candidates by the different communities and major stakeholders in the local government Area.
“How many of us would they kill, even if it is only one person that is remaining in the entire Ebonyi State, that single person would still vote for the Labour Party. Labour Party has come to stay in Ebonyi State.
“Because of the irregularities witnessed during the PDP primaries, the people observed with dismay, that PDP has nothing to offer to the State again, so they needed change and Labour Party brought the needed change with the emergence of Sir Edward Nkwegu as the governorship candidate”.
Efforts to reach the Acting Chairman of PDP in the state, Mr. Joseph Onwe for his reaction proved abortive as he did not pick several calls placed to his phone.
However, Police spokesman in the state, ASP Chris Anyanwu confirmed the attack and the arrest of six persons, adding that the command was still investigating the matter and would arraign the suspects as soon as court resumes.
Also yesterday, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Hon Chaka Nweze also expressed regret over the burning down of the campaign bus of the Labour Party, the destruction of household equipments and vehicles worth millions of niara at his official residence and that of his aids by a set of thugs working for the People’s Democratic Party in the council area.
His words, “since my appointment as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ohaozara LGA and the competition between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party in the State.
“I immediately swung into action to do those things that would better the lots of our people, little did I know that what I was doing did not go down well with the stakeholders and members of PDP in the council area. They started all kinds of campaign of calumny against me”.