Dr. Ben Nwoye, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, has cleared the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, of any participation in the assassination of two APC chieftains in the state.
Unknown gunmen assassinated two APC chieftains in Enugu South Local Government Area at a reconciliation meeting in Obeagu, according to the DAILY POST.
Some members of the party blamed the incident on alleged IPOB members who were executing the pro-Biafra group's Tuesday sit-at-home edict.
Comrade Kelvin Ezeoha, the Assistant State Youth Leader, and Chidera Ogaba, another party figure, were among those killed. Mr. Mike Ogbonna, the party's factional local government chairman, was kidnapped by the gunmen.
Nwoye, however, claimed that the killings were politically motivated during a press conference in Enugu.
"I am grieved, and truly genuinely devastated," Nwoye remarked, unable to contain his sorrow.
The former chairman expressed regret that the slain APC chieftains were killed while attending a meeting called by the Party's national leadership to make peace.
He said the party's national reconciliation committee, led by Senator Abdulahi Adamu, had told the warring APC leaders in Enugu State to return home and make peace, and that the meeting, which claimed the lives of two Party members, was held in the spirit of reconciliation.
"These young men and sincere believers in true democracy paid the greatest sacrifice in the spirit of reconciliation and try to enthrone peace in Enugu APC."
"Like I said, I'm profoundly upset," he continued, "because what happened on Tuesday would not have happened if we hadn't agreed to meet down and talk in order to create peace."
He emphasized that the attack was completely political in nature, pointing out that the gathering took place after the people had observed the Indigenous People of Biafra's sit-at-home instruction.
"People say it was because of the sit-in, but I disagree because I drove past the meeting area at approximately 6 p.m. that evening and saw stores open, the Eke Otu Market going on, and vehicles moving."
"Besides, the late Kelvin is not from Obeagu ward 3, but he was pressed to attend the meeting to express support, according to what I was told."
"He arrived just as the conference was about to end, and as soon as he walked into the location, the gunmen appeared and shot him dead at close range, while the other person died on the way to the hospital," he bemoaned.
While blaming the tragedy on the APC's previous state congress, he warned security agencies not to be misled by those who blamed the incident on the IPOB.
The perpetrators targeted their victims, according to the former APC chairman, notably late Ezeoha, who died instantly.
Meanwhile, Nwoye has endorsed the governor of Katsina State in his call for residents to be armed.
"I fully support Governor Masari of Katsina State in his proposal for the legalization of gun ownership throughout the country." "Because the government has failed us, citizens should be permitted to defend themselves," he stated.
-dailypost.ng
