Gbenro Adesina
Oyo State Government has reacted to a report that the convoy of the State Governor, Seyi Makinde has allegedly ran over a toddler today and killed her.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, the convoy of the governor was not involved in the accident that led to the death of a girl during the local government election campaign in Ogbomoso.
Adisa, who expressed the governor’s condolence to the family of the deceased child, said that contrary to the unverified news story alleging the killing of the child by a vehicle in the convoy of the Oyo State Governor, the girl was killed by a Toyota Matrix Car.
According to the governor’s aide, the vehicle was said to have lost control close to the venue of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign rally, after its front tyre burst while in motion.
Adisa said the governor’s convoy had arrived at the Oja-gbo Town Hall venue of the rally, with the governor and his entourage settled in, adding that it was while the programme was ongoing that some residents stormed the venue of the event with the corpse of the child.
He maintained that it is common knowledge that Toyota Matrix vehicles are not part of any governor’s convoy in Nigeria, saying: “While we await further details on the identity of the driver of the ill-fated car from security agencies, the people of Ogbomoso should remain calm and rest assured that the government will get to the roots of this matter”.
The governor’s aide warned against false and sensational journalism, stating that though Makinde commiserated with the family of the deceased, because he values all lives and would never want any life lost under any circumstance, negative elements in the society should not smear him with falsehood over the death of the child.
The Governor added in a post, “I received with deep concern the report that my convoy ran over a child on our way to Ogbomoso earlier today. Our preliminary investigation revealed that the child was hit by an individual driving a Toyota Matrix car who lost control of his vehicle. He was not part of my convoy. My heartfelt condolences go out to the parents of the child. May her gentle soul rest in peace. Investigations are ongoing and we will ensure that the perpetrator(s) is brought to book”.
