Labour slams Soludo over assassination of lawmaker

• Says governor has lost the will to maintain law and order

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Labour Party (LP) has expressed shock and discontent over the assassination of one of its leaders and the lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon.Justice Azuka.

The party in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Obiora Ifoh said the lawmaker was abducted on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 by gunmen while returning home on Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha.

Ifoh said the decomposing body of the lawmaker was found around the 2nd Niger Bridge on Wednesday.

The party expressed worry over the deteriorating state of security and the attendant loss of lives and property in Anambra state.

“We are presently traumatized by this death and that of other deaths that have become a daily occurrence in Anambra State, a state that is gradually assuming a hobbesian status under the administration of Prof. Charles Soludo.

“Anambra has fully assumed the state of war, where life has suddenly become nasty, brutish and short because the present leadership has completely lost the will-power to enforce law and sanity.

“We are pained because not long ago, the Labour Party candidate in the last governorship election in Anambra State, Obiora Agbasimelo was abducted while campaigning and as we speak, his whereabout is still unknown. Neither the security agencies nor the government could account for his disappearance and his family is left traumatized.

“The whole essence of a government is to provide security and well-being for the people; that constitutional provision is lacking in Anambra State at present. It is unbelievable and unspeakable that a personality as high as a legislator could be abducted for over a month and the government was incapable of rescuing him”.

The opposition party further urged the security agencies to ensure that those who carried out the dastardly act were made to answer to their crime.

“Though, information has it that the police has made arrests of some suspects, we are however calling for a proper and deeper investigation to unravel the real culprits. We are not by anyway suggesting political motive. That would be left for the security agencies to determine, however, we are not unmindful of the circumstances that led to his regaining his mandate after a court ruling ousted the previous winner, from another party who was initially declared the winner of the 2023 election”.

The statement also advised members of the party in the state to remain calm and vigilant while the security operatives carry out their duty.

“We are therefore calling on all our party members in Anambra State to maintain peace and allow the security agencies to diligently carry out their duties. We also encourage them not to be dampened by this unfortunate incident but rather remain focused on the activities ahead”.

The statement equally expressed the heartfelt condolences of its National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure and the entire members of the party across the country to the immediate family of the deceased lawmaker.