With deep regret, we announce the untimely death of Isah Keita, the AC Chairmanship candidate of Okene LGA. He died around Osara road on his return from Abuja this afternoon. Two other people; the driver and a colleague reportedly died with him in the ghastly motor crash.
After several months of contest between the late Keita and his co-candidate, Ozi Okasime, Keita finally got his ticket yesterday the 8th of December 2007 in Abuja to run for Okene Local Government chairmanship election on the platform of Action Congres (AC). Unfortunately, the ticket and the candidate could not arrive okene alive.
His body is on the way to Okene public cemetry (Oganya) for burial as we prepare this report. This is not the first time such unfortunate end will meet an Ebira politician. It could be recalled that between the hours of 7 and 8pm on friday the 20th of October 2006, just immediately after taking his iftar (termination of fasting), Engr. Ahmed Onogoh breathed his last in his Kaduna home. Meanwhile he received his senatorial candidacy ticket on the platform of People's Democratic Party (PDP) some hours before his sudden death.
It was indeed another tragedy for the Ebiras as his death marked the third of similar tragedies within a short space of 5 months. The tragedies include the death of Late Senator A T Ahmed, Ebira gubernatorial candidate at the time and Hon. Muhammed Onusagba of Kogi state house assembly. They both died in ghastly motor accidents just like Isa keita, all on the same road.
It is important to bring to your notice that as the Local Government election approches, there is tension in Ebira land. Two people died few days ago during the clash between AC and PDP in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Govt. According to our correspondent, Ismail Amin who reported from Lokoja, the clash begun when the AC supporters who were returning from a rally held at the Local Government primary school Oziokutu began hauling stones at PDP members holding a ward meeting.
Trouble started when PDP members retaliated. There were gunshots and a guy named Mall Hamza was shot dead. Another man reportedly lost his life in the hands of his men when a bullet mistakenly hit him as a member 'tested' his rifle. So far, two lives were lost but the fight has been resolved.
As the year ends, Ebiras are travelling home for the season's celebration. While troubles loom, it is our hope that the festivals will be peacefully celebrated, at least before the voting starts.
See more reports in next week edition of EbiraView weekly. Your contributions and comments will be highly appreciated. www.ebiraview.com
Avo
