Members of the All Progressives Congress in Ozzi Edem, Nsukka Local Government Area, have collapsed their structure, vowing to redirect their energy into ensuring the victory of Frank Nweke Jr as the next Governor of Enugu State.

Addressing the community at Afor Ozzi market, the former ward chairman of now defunct All Progressives Congress in Ozzi Edem ward, Hon. Mathew Enete said that their decision was based on the premises that APGA is their own party. They vowed to prove this at the polls on March 11.

The declaration was followed by the burning of brooms and other party artefacts.

In his address, Nweke thanked the Edem people for the warm welcome they accorded him and for aligning with APGA’s core philosophy of shared prosperity – being one’s brothers and sister’s keeper where nobody is left behind.

Nweke assured the people of his commitment to rehabilitate the major road that led to the Edem community, which has remained in terrible condition for decades.

He vowed to ensure that all outstanding pensions are paid and further guarantee the timely and regular payment of pensions and gratuities to retirees.

Nweke therefore urged the people to vote massively for him and other APGA candidates for the State House of Assembly on March 11, so that with his emergence as Governor, he will fulfil his promises to the good people of Enugu State.

He concluded by welcoming the former members of the All Progressives Congress to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, stating that he was confident that God would grant their request for good leadership.

A group of concerned indigenes of Enugu State under the aegis of Citizen Against Violence, at the weekend staged a peaceful protest on the streets of Enugu metropolis, demanding justice for the late 2023 Labour Party candidate for the Enugu East senatorial zone, Barr Oyibo Chukwu.

He was recently killed alongside five others and burnt by yet to be identified gunmen.

The protesters, who were clad in black and black attires, were led by kinsmen of the slain Labour Party chieftain who hailed from Amuri in Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State.

Leader of the group and immediate past Enugu State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Ben Nwoye called for an end to political killings in the state.

Nwoye said what they were demanding was nothing but “Justice for Barr Chukwu who was brutally murdered on February 22 on his way back from campaign.”

He said the Amuri people have lost a rare gem who had contributed meaningfully to the development of the area and called for an investigation into his murder and the perpetrators brought to book.

It would be recalled that since the incident occurred, there had been series of protests across the state including the one staged by lawyers.

The protesters carrying placards with inscriptions such as “we demand for Justice for Oyibo Chukwu”, “What has our brother done to be murdered like a goat” urged the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the evil act.

Before taking to the streets, they had stormed the premises of the State High Court and the Court of Appeal where they equally registered their displeasure of the killing.

Some of the protesters who spoke with our correspondent decried the gruesome killing of the former chairman of NBA, Oji River branch who came out to represent his constituents under Labour Party but was allegedly murdered.

Another protester who gave his name as Mr Kenneth Egbo, said “today it is Oyibo Chukwu, tomorrow who knows who will be the next?”

He emphasised that politics was never a do or die game, advising the constituents to be careful of the people they vote into power during the March 11 elections.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has defeated Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in the race for the Abia South Senatorial District seat.

Abaribe who ran on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), beat the governor who belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmaker was declared winner in Aba on Tuesday, by the returning officer for the election Prof. Georgina Ugwuanyi.

Abaribe polled a total of 49,693 votes to defeat his closest rivals and the candidate of the Labour Party Mr Chinedu Onyeizu, who got 43,903 votes while Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party polled 28,422 votes.