Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has condemned the reported killing of one Ms Khadijat Yahaya, a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kogi State.
The group said the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the State should be questioned over the incident, adding that no stone should be left unturned in order to serve justice.
Khadijat allegedly lost her life after a clash between supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and those of the APC in Kotonkarfe on Sept. 29.
The development has heightened tension in the confluence state ahead of the November governorship election.
Reacting in a statement issued by the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the Igbo group tasked security agencies to ensure that all those behind the murder of the APC member were brought to book.
Ohanaeze 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 instil 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 allegations that the SDP guber candidate in the State 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.
“Only one person will become governor at a time; people should not spill blood on their way to power.
“Politicians, no matter their political party, should stop instigating their supporters to attack and murder their opponents,” Okwu cautioned.
