OSHIOMHOLE CONDOLES WITH JONATHAN

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has sent a letter of condolence to President Goodluck Jonathan over the unfortunate weekend incident at the Port Harcourt Stadium in which some supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost their lives.

'Our hearts are with you and the loved ones of the victims at this difficult moment. We can appreciate how pained and troubled you have been over the loss of these Nigerians, many of who were obviously party supporters that came to receive you,' he said.

Conveying the grief on the incident on behalf of the people and government of Edo State, Oshiomhole prayed for 'the repose of the souls of the departed and for our Heavenly Father to give you and their families the fortitude to bear the pains.'

While praying for the souls of the departed to rest in peace, the governor also prayed for God's continuous protection over Mr. President and his teeming supporters as well as others seeking elective offices, as they travel across the country during the electioneering campaign.

Also commiserating with the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, Oshiomhole said, 'as the host of the South-south presidential rally, we can appreciate how pained and troubled you have been over the loss of these Nigerians.'

In addition, Governor Oshiomhole also commiserated with the families of the victims, saying the best way to honour them was to ensure free and fair polls at all levels in the forthcoming general elections.

The governor, while commiserating with President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Amaechi of Rivers State over the sad development said, 'the victims paid the supreme sacrifice for the enthronement of true democracy based on the principle of one man, one vote.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said, 'while we mourn their sudden and unfortunate deaths, we appeal to the security agencies to apply better effective crowd control measures as campaigns hot up at all levels towards the April elections.

'Their deaths should, however, not be lost on the nation and the best way to honour them and recognise their contribution to the enthronement of true democracy is by ensuring free and fair polls at all levels.

'We mourn with the families of the victims and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. We also pray for those in hospitals on account of the incident and pray God to grant them speedy recovery.'