Benue auto crash: Ortom, Mark, PDP mourn dead members, declare them heroes
- Eight persons met their untimely death in a ghastly auto accident involving the convoy of the PDP in Benue state
- The party supporters were heading for the flag-off campaign for Benue south candidates of the party for 2019 elections when the incident occurred
- The PDP and Governor Samuel Ortom have joined in paying homage to the party supporters
Eight supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been confirmed dead in an auto crash which occurred on Friday, December 28, at Ugbokpo, Apa local government area of Benue state.
They were traveling to Agatu for the flag-off of the PDP Zone C senatorial campaigns when the accident involving three vehicles happened.
Some of the victims who were certified dead at St. Charles Catholic Hospital Adoka have been deposited at the morgue of General Hospital in Otukpo, while the survivors are receiving treatment at the hospital.
Governor Samuel Ortom, who visited the hospital in Adoka in company of former Senate president, Senator David Mark, and the deputy governor, Engineer Benson Abounu, announced indefinite postponement of the PDP senatorial campaigns flag-off in Zone C.
PAY ATTENTION: Access your favourite news site Legit.ng instantly in 3 simple steps
The governor described the incident as painful and unfortunate, saying it is a huge loss to the entire PDP family in the state.
He also directed the immediate evacuation of the survivors to Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi for further treatment, stressing that cases that required further referrals outside the state would be handled accordingly.
Governor Ortom while describing the development as unfortunate, condoled the bereaved families and PDP on the loss of their loved ones.
David Mark who also consoled the affected families, lamented that most of the victims were very promising youths within his senatorial district and prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
Similarly, the national leadership of the PDP and the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO) has lamented the death of its members in the ghastly motor accident. The party described them as heroes of democracy, “who paid the supreme price in the course of their commitment towards rescuing our dear nation from shackles of misrule.”
The statement signed by PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbodiyan, stated that “the PDP leadership is particularly pained that these party faithful died on their way to the flag-off of the PDP Benue South Senatorial campaign, in their quest to ensure an acceptable, people-oriented representation of their zone in the Senate.”
“The PDP commends Governor Samuel Ortom, other leaders and members of the party in Benue state for their interventions and charged members from other states to join in extending their hands of fellowship towards the bereaved and the wounded at this critical time.”
READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda
The party also called on members to ensure that the deceased did not die in vain by remaining united in working harder, to ensure the party’s victory in all elections in the state.
Meanwhile, the Tiv Youth Organisation has berated Senator George Akume for his statement concerning the herdsmen attacks in Benue state.
Akume, a former governor of the state, had said the Benue government and not armed Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the mass killings in the state.
Akume who is also the chairman Senate committee on army, made the comment when he led some Benue indigenes to visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, November 23.
In a press statement sent to Legit.ng by its president, Timothy Hembaor, the Tiv group said Senator Akume has given Miyetti Allah groups a reason to sponsor more attacks on Benue communities.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have updated to serve you better.
Benue IDPs: Education amidst crisis | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
