SOJI AJIBOLA, Ibadan
Oyo State Government says there is no iota of truth in a news report that Governor Seyi Makinde’s convoy crushed a kid to death during the local government election campaign in Ogbomoso.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governors, Mr Taiwo Adisa, in a statement made available to newsmen denied the report.
He, however, expressed the governor’s condolences to the family of the deceased child.
He submitted 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 after its front tyres burst while in motion, close to the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party campaign rally.
Adisa said the governor’s convoy had arrived at 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.