Breaking News: Gunmen Invade Delta South APC Senatorial Primary Venue As Governor’s Aide Escapes Death
Ovie Umuakpo, the Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, reportedly escaped death following an alleged invasion of the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta South senatorial primary election, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The incident, which was also said to have targeted the State Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, was allegedly carried out by armed youths believed to be loyal to the governor’s aide. WATCH VIDEO ON X
The attack reportedly left several people injured at Ebe Primary School, Ovrode, in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State...READ FULL STORY; FROM THE SOURCE.
SaharaReporters gathered that Umuakpo narrowly escaped being killed during the chaos as the violence erupted at the venue of the exercise.
Recounting the incident, a member of the APC who witnessed the attack told SaharaReporters that the armed youths stormed the venue and opened fire, causing panic among party members who had gathered to cast their votes. Several participants were reportedly injured in the ensuing stampede and gunfire.
“The invasion was against the health commissioner who is working to deliver the incumbent senator, Onowakpo. As we were all gathered waiting for the commencement of the primaries, all we saw was the governor’s aide, Ovie Umuakpo, with armed youths invading Ebe Primary School, Ovrode, the venue of the primaries.
They started shooting, and some youths on the ground began to resist the armed youths, leading to the injuries of some of the youths. As this was going on, everybody started running for their lives,” the APC member said.
“The invasion was bloody. The way and the manner the armed youths invaded the venue was unexpected and the community youths there stood their ground and resisted the invasion.
“Some of the armed youths were badly injured while some of the community youths were also injured and were taken to the hospital. After the invasion, the venue was relocated to the Isoko North council secretariat, Ozoro. Actually, Ovie has been running a supremacy war with the commissioner before it was settled a few months ago, but Ovie is not satisfied,” the party member stated.
SaharaReporters gathered that several firearms were allegedly recovered from the armed youths and were later taken to a nearby government hospital in the neighbouring Ofagbe community.
When contacted, the Executive Assistant (EA) to the Delta State Governor, Ovie Umuakpo, denied any involvement in the alleged armed invasion.
“I didn’t invade the Ovrode. I discovered that the venue of the primary was relocated by the commissioner against the designated venue for the primary. I went to Ovrode to find out from the commissioner why the venue was relocated from Ellu against the designated venue by the party,” he said.
“On stepping down, we were attacked by boys on the ground. My boys were seriously injured so also their boys too. I didn’t go there to fight anybody. There was nothing like I narrowly escaped death.”
Calls and messages placed to the Health Commissioner, Onojaeme, were not responded to, as he was reportedly trying to ensure that the injured youths received proper medical attention at the hospital.
As of the time of filing this report, normalcy had been restored in the area.
Voting had concluded in some wards and local government councils across the senatorial district, with results being submitted to the senatorial collation centre at Oleh, the headquarters of Isoko South, where the incumbent was said to be leading.
