The Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the shooting at Enugu-Ukwu, Anambra State, targeted at the convoy of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, describing it as “unfortunate and condemnable”.
Unidentified gunmen violently attacked Ubah’s motorcade at Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu Junction in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
Police confirmed that five persons, including the lawmaker’s aides and police escorts attached to him, were killed in the attack.
Speaking to newsmen at the Abuja Airport, Obi said he was saddened when he heard about the news, especially when lives were lost. He called on the perpetrators of such crimes nationwide to have a re-think about their actions, which he described as “injurious to the growth and development Nigeria urgently needs now that suffering abounds in the land.”
Obi, who described most of the shootings going on in every part of the country as one of the cumulative effects of bad leadership over the years, said that the best way to tackle them is to go to the root causes of discontent in the land and nip them in the bud rather than pretending that Nigeria has been fair to Nigerians.
Part of his words: “I have continued to lay emphasis on the urgent need for enhanced security and protection of life and property in our society. I reiterate my unwavering commitment to put an end to all forms of violence in different parts of the country by seeking the root causes, under my watch, when elected the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Violence and killings of Nigerians under any guise whatsoever will not be accepted or tolerated under my watch as President.”
Commiserating with Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, he encouraged him not to relent in his efforts to restore sanity to the state.
Obi also commiserated with Ubah and the affected families, over the painful incident and loss of lives. He said: “I deeply commiserate with my brother, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this ugly incidence.”
Bianca, the widow of late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Senator Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra Central), also joined other prominent Nigerians to condemn Sunday’s fatal attack on Ubah’s motorcade.
Chris Azubuogu (APGA-Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency) also decried the attack on the lawmaker, representing Anambra South in the Senate.
The trio described the dastardly act as condemnable.
Bianca, who is from Anambra South, stated: “I mourn with the people of Anambra and Senator Ubah over the horrific attack on his motorcade.
“Many lives were lost in this satanic ambush, folks who just set out for the day, just another ordinary day, but never made it home, their lives brutally cut short by heartless gunmen.
“Their families are bleeding, Anambra is bleeding.
“We are all bleeding for this rain of bullets is falling on our collective roofs, and with each gruesome attack, another abominable threshold is crossed.”
Also, Ekwunife stated that she received the news of the attack with shock.
“I condemn the incident in strongest terms. It is unimaginable. My condolences go to Ubah, the families of the police officers and his aides killed and injured in the attack,” she stated.
Ekwunife urged the state government and security agencies to do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators.
Azubuogu described the attack as “reprehensible and condemnable”.
He added that the news of the attack came to him as a rude shock.
“With a heavy heart, I sincerely commiserate with the distinguished lawmaker, the families of his late aides and the entire Police community.
“I am confident, in the face of the assurances by the governor, that security agencies will fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book,” he added.
