Two persons have been reported dead and three others missing as one of the campaign boats of Delta state All Progressive Congress, APC governorship candidate, Senate Ovie Omo-Agege capsized during its governorship campaign to Warri river in Warri South West local government area of the state.
It was gathered the tragic incident left about seven persons currently battling for their lives and three others missing.
The Director, Communications and Media Strategy of the campaign council, Ima Niboro, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, saying that the Deputy Senate President, and Delta All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has ordered the immediate suspension of the ward to ward campaign over the tragic incident.
He said the APC governorship candidate and the Delta APC Campaign Council, received with shock and grief, news of the boat accident involving loyal party members and supporters, as they returned from a rally in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area, yesterday, 20th December 2022.
According to him, “information indicates that a commercial boat travelling in the opposite direction rammed into the boat carrying the party’s supporters and that two persons lost their lives, three are missing, and seven others are in hospital receiving treatment from injuries sustained in the accident.
“We are shocked by this tragedy, and our hearts are heavy. Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their families. This is one tragedy too many, and our party is officially in mourning.
“We are currently working with the relevant authorities and communities to search for the missing. We are also in the process of reaching out to the families and loved ones of those that lost their lives while ensuring that the injured receive the best care possible.
“In honour of the dead, missing and injured, we have decided to indefinitely suspend all further campaigns. The Campaign Council will advise on the next steps in the coming days and weeks.
“Once again, we express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and pray that the Almighty comforts and gives them fortitude in these trying times”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has condoled with its major opposition over the incident.
The condolence message was contained in a statement by Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary, Delta PDP, and Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, Delta State Campaign Council.
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The statement reads, “Delta PDP is shocked and deeply saddened at the reports of a fatal boat mishap at Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area, involving supporters of the Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, which has claimed the lives of two supporters, with some others, either missing or hospitalized, as a result of serious injuries sustained in the aftermath of the accident.
“We commiserate with the Deputy Senate President and Delta APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the entire APC family in the State, and most especially the families of those whose lives were lost and those receiving treatment from injuries, sustained during the mishap, which occurred as they returned from the APC rally in Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area, on Tuesday, 20th December 2022.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, even as we pray that the search for the missing persons by the authorities, will yield positive results and they would soon be reunited with their friends, families, and loved ones.
“Every Delta life matter to us and the loss or misadventure of any Deltan, irrespective of political, cultural, and other diverse considerations, is our collective loss.
“We pray the good Lord grants the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear their losses while we are still trusting and believing that God Almighty will cause his light to shine and illuminate the way for the success of the search and rescue.”
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