Paul Osuyi, Asaba
DELTA State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for violent-free elections and urged politicians to engage in issue-based campaigns without killing or maiming the electorate.
Okowa made the appeal in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, when he paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family of his political aide, Mr. Ngozi Ijei, who was allegedly assassinated on the eve of the botched presidential and National Assembly elections.
The governor described the death of his aide as “very unfortunate,” and alleged that the murder was “politically motivated.”
He said in the last two years, the slain Ijei played crucial roles in his administration’s efforts to entrench peace in the restive Ekpan area, and regretted that “those who do not value life decided to strike, and it is not the best thing to do, for it pays us nothing to lose a life to win in an election.
“We should continue to embrace peace as the election comes up because, going to the extent of using guns to get votes is not the best way for our country. I believe it is important that all Nigerians realise that getting votes can be achieved by what one has already done and the improvement that can be seen, not by violence.”
He urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that nothing happens without the knowledge of God.
“I know the loss of a dear one is very painful, but, stay strong for the children. Depend on God, I beg you, stay strong for the sake of these children and be prayerful. God will take control of every situation.
“Accept our condolences, and in everything you think or do, you must look up to God,” the governor told Mrs. Veronica Ijei, wife of the deceased, who cired throughout the period he spent with the family.
Governor Okowa, who was in a pensive mood, wrote in the condolence register opened in memory of the deceased, “on condolence visit to the family of late Mr. Ngozi Ijei, my special assistant who was slain on Friday, February 15, 2019.
“Ngozi was an architect of peace in the new Ekpan of our dream.
“He had worked largely with the security agencies in the last two years, to make Ekpan peaceful. We will miss him dearly for his contributions.
“I condole with the young family, and it is our prayers that God will fill this gap and give them peace. Adieu Ngozi, may the Lord receive you in his bosom.”