The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Ezza North local government area, Peter Nweke, has tragically passed away after being beaten to a coma by political thugs during the Governorship and Assembly elections in Ebonyi state. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 18, 2023, and Nweke sustained severe injuries that led to his eventual death.
Nweke’s younger brother, Samson Nweke, confirmed his death and revealed that his brother had warned him of intelligence suggesting they were marked for elimination. In a statement, Samson recounted how his brother had visited him two weeks before the elections and warned him to be careful. According to Samson, his brother informed him that a certain political party had enlisted some persons from their community for elimination on or before the election date. He said that his brother was number one on the list, he was number two, and three other persons were also listed.
Sadly, the intelligence turned out to be accurate, and Nweke was attacked by political thugs wielding AK-47 rifles at his polling unit booth 10, Ogboji ward, Ezza North LGA Ebonyi State. Samson, who is also a Rights Activist, was fortunate to survive the attack, but his brother was not so lucky.
Nweke’s death has sent shockwaves through the PDP community in Ebonyi state and beyond. He was a dedicated party member and a committed leader who worked tirelessly to advance the party’s interests in the state. His passing has left a huge void that will be difficult to fill.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are seeking to arrest and prosecute those responsible. The police spokesperson, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed Nweke’s death and stated that the police would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The tragic death of Peter Nweke highlights the dangers of political violence and the need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that elections are peaceful and free from violence. It is essential that political leaders and their supporters conduct themselves in a manner that promotes peace and unity and avoids the use of violence and intimidation.
As Ebonyi state and the PDP community mourn the loss of Peter Nweke, it is crucial that his death is not in vain. It is time for all stakeholders to come together and work towards building a society where violence and intimidation have no place in the political process. Only then can we truly honor the memory of Peter Nweke and other victims of political violence.