The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives candidate for Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Hon. (Chief) Kevin Tobias Chukwu, has called on security agencies to investigate an alleged attack involving the motorcade of the party’s candidate for Ezza South State Constituency, Barr. Rollins Ovu-unata Offia-Nwali.
Chukwu, in a statement issued on Sunday, expressed concern over the incident, which he said reportedly resulted in the death of a person, injuries to others and the destruction of a vehicle.
He condemned political intimidation and violence, insisting that residents of Ezza South and Ikwo must be allowed to participate in the democratic process without fear or threats to their safety.
The federal constituency candidate extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured, while thanking God for the survival of Offia-Nwali and others who reportedly escaped the incident.
Describing the development as a matter of serious concern, Chukwu said the incident occurred within the constituency he seeks to represent, adding that he could not remain silent when the safety and constitutional rights of residents were allegedly threatened.
“Ezza South is not a political territory belonging to any individual, officeholder or political party. It belongs to the people,” he stated.
He maintained that every citizen had the constitutional right to contest elections, support candidates, associate freely and participate in political activities without intimidation.
Chukwu also expressed concern that an incident reportedly involving the loss of human life had become a subject of political exchanges and accusations instead of prompting a united demand for truth, accountability and justice.
He noted that allegations made by Offia-Nwali against the Commissioner, Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, were serious and required an independent investigation.
According to him, the allegations include claims of intimidation of political supporters, an earlier assault on a supporter, and circumstances surrounding the identification and subsequent destruction of a vehicle.
However, Chukwu stressed that the allegations should neither be dismissed on account of the political positions of those involved nor treated as established facts without supporting evidence.
He consequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Security Adviser to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.
He said the investigation should establish the circumstances surrounding the reported death, identify those responsible for the attack and determine whether any individual or group planned, sponsored, encouraged or facilitated the violence.
“No political office should confer immunity from investigation, and no political disagreement should become a death sentence,” he declared.
The NDC candidate further appealed to political leaders and stakeholders in Ezza South and Ikwo to discourage threats, intimidation and confrontation, warning against the use of young people as instruments of political ambition.
He emphasised that political supporters were valuable members of their families and communities whose lives should not be sacrificed for political loyalty.
Chukwu also appealed to the Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to use the moral authority of his office to promote peaceful political participation and ensure that all political actors and their supporters could exercise their democratic rights without fear.
He clarified that neither he nor the NDC sought confrontation with any individual or government, insisting that the party was committed to competing through ideas, programmes and records of service rather than threats or violence.
The candidate reaffirmed his solidarity with Offia-Nwali, the bereaved family, the injured and other citizens whose political freedom might have been threatened.
He urged security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable, including those established to have organised or sponsored the violence, was brought to justice.
“The lives of our people are worth far more than any political office,” Chukwu said.
