Tragedy struck in Anambra State as gunmen, suspected to be political thugs, brutally murdered Joe Mohale, the ward chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Nanka Ward 1, Orumba North Local Government Area. The fatal incident occurred on Saturday evening, shortly after a crucial meeting where Mohale had hosted Hon Chinwe Nnabuife, the member representing Orumba North and South Federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
This shocking development comes amidst preparations for a rerun election in the area, pitting the YPP candidate, Nnabuife, against the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okwudili Ezenwankwo.
Reportedly, Mohale, a staunch YPP member, had pledged his unwavering support to Nnabuife during the meeting, vowing to mobilize for her victory against Ezenwankwo, who hails from the same area. Sadly, tragedy struck when Mohale was fatally shot immediately after the meeting, sending shockwaves through the community.
An inside source revealed that the motive behind Mohale’s untimely demise was intricately linked to politics, as a rival political faction had allegedly issued warnings against hosting Nnabuife in the area. These ominous warnings evidently escalated into a horrifying reality.
Nnabuife, who previously contested as the YPP candidate in the last election, emerged victorious and was duly sworn in as the representative of the constituency in the House of Representatives. However, the election petition tribunal’s directive for a rerun in 16 polling units in Nanka Ward one, the stronghold of her rival Nwankwo, has heightened political tensions in the region. This decision was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal, galvanizing both political parties to gear up for the impending rerun.
In light of this heinous act, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) has plunged into mourning following the loss of their esteemed member. Nnabuife, who assumed leadership of the party in the South East after the defection of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident. Blaming her political adversary for the ruthless attack, she lamented, “We have been thrown into mourning. This is the handiwork of those who we are up against. Though INEC has not fixed the date, but there will be a rerun between me and Ezenwankwo of PDP. Mohale was a strong supporter of our party, and we will not stop at anything to ensure that his death is not in vain. People do everything to bully us out of the race, but as a determined woman committed to effecting positive change through legislation, we are not deterred by the number of thugs they send after us.”
