Mournful Okowa Says Killing Of Aide, Ijei ‘Politically Motivated’, Calls For Violent Free Election

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, says the killing of his political aide, Mr Ngozi Lawrence Ijei was politically motivated.

Dr Okowa made this revelation when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Ijei who was allegedly assassinated on the eve of the botched Presidential and National Assembly elections in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

Although Governor Okowa did not mention those who had masterminded the purported political killing, he said, “the death of Ngozi Ijei was very unfortunate as he was slain and it was obvious that it was politically motivated.”

He said that the deceased was a major contributor to the relative peace in Ekpan, alleging that some undisclosed elements who do not value life unfortunately, killed him over the forthcoming election.

“In the last two years we had worked to have peace in the Ekpan area and he played a crucial role in the peace process, but, unfortunately, those who do not value life decided to strike and it is not the best thing to do for it pays us nothing for us to lose a life to win in an election,” the governor said. 

“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 that it is important that all Nigerians should realize 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 that the loss of a dear one is very painful but, stay strong for the children,” the governor told Mrs Veronica Ijei, wife of the deceased who was crying throughout the period the governor spent with the family.

He continued, “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 that you think or do, you must look up to God.”

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 SA (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,” Okowa wrote.

The Governor who was accompanied by the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso and a chieftain of the party, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, however used the occasion to call for violent-free elections, saying politicians could engage in issue-based campaigns without killing or maiming the electorates.