From Meluwa Kelvin
Two persons have reportedly died while three are missing after campaigning for the Deputy Senate President and Delta governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was learnt that the the incident occurred when the victims were returning home in a boat from the APC campaign at Okerekoko on Tuesday.
A source said, “Two supporters of the APC have died in a boat accident with three others missing at Okerenkoko on their way back from campaign.
“Seven others are reportedly in the hospital battling for survival after they were rescued from the scene of the accident. They were in a boat returning from the campaign of the Deputy President of the Senate Ovie Omo-Agege, the Delta State governorship candidate of the APC.”
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Confirming the incident in a statement, Ima Niboro, Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Delta APC Campaign Council, said Omo-Agege and Delta APC grieved over the incident and as a result had suspended campaign indefinitely.
The statement said, “Deputy President of the Senate and Delta All Progressives Congress, APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and the Delta APC Campaign Council have received with shock and grief, news of the boat accident involving loyal party members and supporters, as they returned from our rally in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.
“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 those 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.”
“ln honour of the dead, missing and injured, we have decided to indefinitely suspend all further campaigns. The Campaign Council will advise on 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.”
Niboro disclosed that a commercial boat travelling in the opposite direction rammed into the boat carrying the APC supporters resulting in loss of two lives and three missing while seven others were receiving treatment in a hospital.
