BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraqi officials say a suicide attack has killed a local political leader and four of his relatives in northern Iraq.

A police officer said Wednesday that a suicide bomber blew himself up late the previous night inside Younis al-Rammah's guesthouse in the northern province of Ninevah. He says al-Rammah and four relatives were killed and six others wounded.

The slain leader headed a political list competing in provincial elections this Thursday. Iraq's April provincial elections were delayed in Sunni northern Ninevah province and western Anbar due to deteriorating security.

A medical official confirmed the death. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Candidates are frequent targets for insurgents who aim to disrupt the political process.