By Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has condemned a political violence in Asaba, Delta State, that resulted in the reported death of an Igbo youth, Chinaza Sunday, during campaign-related activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The violence occurred on Saturday, November 7, along Nnebisi Road, Asaba, during a procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
The incident reportedly left one person dead and five others injured, according to the police.
In a statement in Enugu on Tuesday, the National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, calling on Nigerian youths to shun political thuggery and avoid allowing themselves to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence, warning that no political ambition was worth the life of any young Nigerian.
Okpalaezeukwu said reports indicated that Sunday was allegedly part of a group that attempted to attack an opposition political party during its campaign activities in Delta State.
He, however, stressed that whatever the circumstances surrounding the incident, political interests and campaign activities should never result in the loss of human lives.
The Ohanaeze leader urged youths across Igboland and Nigeria to participate peacefully in the electoral process and resist attempts by politicians to recruit them for acts of violence, thuggery and political intimidation.
He also cautioned politicians and political parties against exposing young people to danger for personal political gains, insisting that the lives and future of Nigerian youths must be protected.
The Ohaneze youth wing called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found to have instigated or sponsored the violence was brought to justice.
It further expressed sympathy with the family of Chinaza Sunday, his friends and the wider youth community, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
According to the statement, “Peaceful participation in politics remained a civic responsibility of every Nigerian youth.”
