All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State are mourning the death of their supporters who died in boat and road accidents respectively.
Two APC supporters died with three declared missing and seven hospitalized, while a prominent PDP chieftain, Chief Joe Unuame alongside his driver died in a motor accident.
Delta APC Campaign Council and the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege confirmed the boat accident which involved the party’s supporters who were returning from a rally in Okerenkoko, Warri South West local government area. The development forced the party to suspend its campaigns indefinitely.
Omo-Agege said, “ We are shocked by this tragedy, the commercial boat traveling in the opposite direction rammed into the boat carrying our members. 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.’’
The state publicity secretary and deputy director, media and publicity of the Delta State PDP Campaign Council, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, conveyed the sad mood of the party in a statement he issued yesterday.
He said, “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we received the wrenching news of the sudden passing of our friend, brother, and one of the solid pillars of the PDP in Delta State, Chief Joe Unuame, who was involved in a fatal motor accident in which he and his driver lost their precious lives, on their way to our campaign rally in Patani, Delta State.
“Chief Unuame, who hails from Akpere-Olomu community, Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State, was a beloved party stalwart in Delta Central and a renowned grassroots mobiliser who threw his full weight behind the vice presidential bid of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the governorship ticket of Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme, as well as all the PDP candidates for the 2023 general elections.
“This sudden, untimely, unexpected tragedy has not only thrown us into grief and mourning, but it has also shocked us beyond words and left a gaping vacuum in our ranks, especially at this auspicious time when his ebullient presence and boisterous good nature, would have been so critical to our efforts, as we move into the last lap of our comprehensive campaigns to secure the ultimate victory in the 2023 elections.”
