Ika Federal Const: Sabastine Okoh Escapes Gun Attack, Tells Supporters To Be Calm

By Daniel Dafe

The House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Ika Federal Constituency, Delta State, Hon. Sebastine Okoh, has asked his supporters to remain calm after he survived an assassination attempt early this morning, adding that members of APC in the area must remain calm and focused because his victory in the forthcoming polls on Saturday, February 23, 2019 is assured.

Speaking to journalists in Abraka today, Hon. Okoh disclosed that between the hours of 1 and 1.20 a.m., after he was through with a strategic session with some of his supporters and final disbursements to party agents, he was attacked and shot at by suspected political assassins who came in two Hilux Vans with covered numbered plates, as he made way into his premises at Umunede town.

“Two of my cars were destroyed and they shot on my buildings,” he added.

Continuing, he said that he has made appropriate reports to the authorities and that the law would take its cause.

Furthermore, he disclosed that today, a solidarity rally organized by about 5, 000 of his supporters took place.

He called on Nigerians to remain peaceful, calm and courageous, saying that this year’s election will spring up surprises.

“The right candidates will emerge,” he opined, noting that INEC rules today shows that there are lots of improvements and that votes will count.

Speaking about the postponement of the elections, he said, the shift could be a blessing in disguise.

Meanwhile, APC in the state has condemned the assassination attempt on Hon. Sabastine Okoh and other APC members in the state.

In a press release signed by Barr. Ogheneluemu Sylvester Imonina, Publicity Secretary of the party, APC said: “Our great party notes with great concern that since Hon. Okoh, a former political aide to Okowa joined us in the APC about two years ago, some PDP blood-thirsty elements have allegedly sworn harm to him and APC supporters in Ika Nation.

“To this end, criminal and tyrannical steps are regularly taken by the PDP to suffocate Hon. Okoh politically, including destruction of his billboards, and mental torture to his person.

“Despite PDP’s evil machinations against Hon. Okoh and APC members in Ika Nation, Hon. Okoh’s kind political disposition continues to endear him to Ika people. The Delta State PDP government sees this as a very serious threat to its grip in Ika land. For PDP, the only way to save themselves from pending political oblivion starring at them is to do away with the life of Hon. Okoh whose political acceptability is gaining ground every day.

“The APC in Delta State states that political violence is not a monopoly of PDP or any group of persons. Although self-defence is lawful, APC as a responsible party will not authorise retaliation on PDP. We in the APC will continue to play by the decent and known rules of politics. Hon. Sabastine Okoh’s freedom of association should not and must not be treated or seen as an exception to the rules of politics.

The party called on the Nigerian Police to thoroughly investigate the unfortunate attack/incident and bring those behind the dastardly act to book.