The leadership of Labour Party (LP) in Edo State, on Tuesday in Benin City condoled with the families of two voters in the state who lost their lives during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The party advised that electoral violence should be discouraged from Nigeria’s electoral system.
The victims were Festus Idahosa, 33 years old, and Mrs. Elizabeth Owie, a 43-year-old mother of three children.
Addressing journalists shortly after a condolence visits to the victims’ family members in Benin City, the state Chairman of the party, Comrade Kelly Igbaloi described one of the victims, Elizabeth as a gallant lady who epitomised the ideals of the Labour Party.
He said: “It is a loss of a gallant lady. Her death is regrettable. If it is possible we would have brought her back to life.
“We grief as a party and we commiserate with the family and we are not on this condolence visit to score cheap political points.
“Idahosa shouldn’t have been killed because he went to decide the future of the country by going out to vote.
“The LP will do its best to see that the families are supported and not left alone at this time of grief,” he added.
Also, the Edo South Senator-elect, Barr. Neda Imasuen said the deaths of the two persons was sad one that should have been prevented.
He said, “This should not have happened to anyone that goes out to perform his or her civic duty. We will be in touch with the family at this time and give them the necessary support.
“It is time for the authorities to put an end to electoral violence. We cannot afford to lose responsible citizens as result of the activities of thugs,” he added.
The families of the deceased thanked the Party chairman, Senator-elect and other executives for identifying with them during this period of their grief.
*(Courtesy, excluding headline, Tribune)