ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – In order to avenge the assassination of their brother, Oyibo Chukwu, the Labour Party candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District, the people of Amuri Ancient kingdom, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Tuesday, invoked the spirit of their ancestors.
Chukwu was reportedly assassinated on 22 February, at Amechi Awkunanaw, in Agbani, Nkanu West LGA headquarters, while returning from a campaign, ahead of the 25 February election.
He was also a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oji-River branch.
Although condemnation and rain of curses continue to trail his assassination, his younger brother, Kelvin Chukwu, who was later nominated to replace him by Labour Party won the senatorial seat.
Meanwhile, the community leaders are unhappy because no state government functionary, including the sitting Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi have openly spoken against the act.
Security agencies, especially the police, have attributed his killing to activities of the unknown gunmen and separatist agitation.
However, the family debunk the police report, insisting that their son’s killing was politically motivated.
While performing the traditional ritual, which held at the community’s ancestral square, the late Chukwu’s kith and kinsmen rained curses on those behind the gruesome assassination, their sponsors and their immediate families.
Natives of Amuri from the four communities that make up the Ancient Kingdom, led by the eldest men in the locality and two traditional rulers – Igwe Charles Nwoye and Igwe Fidelis Nsiegbu – were also at the popular Obodo Okolo, Chukwu’s ancestral square, as early as 9am.
A community leader informed that: “with one voice to place curses and invoke the spirit of our forefathers and gods of the land to go after those behind the vicious killing of Chukwu.”
Igwe Nwoye and his colleague, in their separate remarks, said as a people, they believe strongly in natural justice and philosophy of ‘live and let live’. They urged their ancestors to arise and bring justice to their late son.
Also, the monarchs, prayed the gods of the land to ensure that any one involved, directly or indirectly in the unholy act, young or old is made to face the consequences of their nefarious act, adding, “he who kills by sword, must surely die by sword.”
Chukwu’s younger brother and senator-elect, while addressing journalists shortly after the rituals, expressed appreciation to his kinsmen for the love and solidarity extended to the family since the ugly incident occurred.
He specifically thanked the two monarchs in attendance and elders of the kingdom, stressing that rituals seeking natural justice for his late brother has never failed the community from inception.
Chukwu disclosed that his family was yet to recover from the shock of the politician’s murder.
He said: “So, what our people are doing here today is important, because it is in consonance with the tradition of our community, it’s our way of seeking justice through traditional means.
“His spirit, and those of our ancestors will definitely find the perpetrators and make them pay dearly for their wicked and barbaric act.”