Benue: PDP cancels rally as accident claims many lives

At least 10 persons reportedly met their untimely death in an unfortunate fatal auto accident that occurred Friday afternoon involving the convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue state.

PDP stakeholders and party faithful were heading to Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu local government area for the flag-off campaign for Benue South candidates of the party in the 2019 general elections.

The party has consequently cancelled the proposed mega rally, which was also billed for the defection ceremony of over 2000 members of opposition parties.

According to eyewitness account, an on-coming motorcycle rammned into the PDP convoy around Ojinebe village in Adoka, Otukpo local government area, causing another on-coming Toyota Sienna to lose control with head-on collision with an 18-seater bus and a Volkswagen Golf car.

“The Sienna, in an attempt to dodge the bike lost control and faced the 18-seater bus, thereby causing accident for the golf coming behind,” the source said.

Addressing supporters of the party in Agatu, the PDP state chairman, Sir John Ngbede said the proposed flag-off campaign would no longer hold, “as a mark of honour on the lives that were lost”.

Reacting to the development, the senatorial candidate of the party, Comrade Abba Moro, said “in honour of our brothers and sister that have died, trying to honour the party, this rally for the flag off of the Benue South senatorial district, otherwise known as Zone C campaign, is hereby cancelled.

“I pray to God Almighty that as you go back to your various homes, that God will grant you journey mercies, I also promise, that as soon as arrangements are made for the burial of our fallen members and heroes, you will be adequately informed”.

About five victims, who sustained various degrees of injuries, according to Moro, are to be moved to specialist hospitals in the cities, as ordered by Governor Samuel Ortom for orthopaedic and other special attention.

The official flag-off was supposed to be for the presentation of flags to all the House of Assembly, House of Representatives candidates as well as the Senatorial candidate of the party.