The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sunday raised alarm at what it termed as an orchestrated and pre-meditated assassination attempt on the life of the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege.
The party in a statement by its acting publicity secretary, Leonard Obibi, disclosed that the senator in company of his wife, children, party chieftains and members, narrowly escaped death when hoodlums suspected to be political thugs struck at the popular Effurun Market, Uvwie Local Government Area, venue of the second phase of the lawmaker’s constituency empowerment programme. Giving details of how the attack took place, Obibi said: “The incident occurred on Saturday, at the popular Effurun Market during the second phase of his constituency empowerment programme where he was giving out direct financial support to hundreds of petty traders and Okada riders, when an organized mob of irate youths stormed the arena with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically.
“APC Delta condemned the attack on Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who, in the company of his wife, children, APC chieftains and party members, beneficiaries and other participants, narrowly escaped a seemingly orchestrated and pre-meditated assassination attempt on his life.
“We are also very pleased to note that Senator Omo-Agege did not yield to this wanton display of violence, as he chose to conduct himself in a manner that showed bold, mature and wise leadership in order to avoid unnecessary bloodshed over a charitable event.
“We are however saddened that some people sustained injuries in the fracas that ensued and had to be rushed to the hospital, while several vehicles in the entourage were smashed and other facilities destroyed.”
Advising Deltans to eschew politics of hate, the party said: “We also use this opportunity to advise Deltans, especially those with opposing interests, to eschew politics of hate and bitterness in the State.
“We call on the security agencies within the State to immediately carry out a thorough investigation by a crack team in order to fish out and arrest the suspected hoodlums that perpetrated this heinous crime and bring them to the altar of justice.
“A formal complaint of this incident has already been logged at the Ekpan Police Station. Ultimately, we believe that in the interest of upholding our democratic norms and the avoidance of unwarranted tension in Urhobo land, everybody should continue to uphold the peace; even as we will continue to seek out ways to support the growth of our society and improve the lives of Deltans.”
(Source: Vanguard)