It was a sorrowful moment in Oju at the funeral rites of eight members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who died in a ghastly motor accident on Friday, 28th December, 2018 on their way to the Zone C senatorial campaign flag-off in Agatu.
Representatives, candidates for various elections and party stalwarts as well as bereaved family members battled to hold tears as they took turns to give funeral orations at the combined church service.
Governor Samuel Ortom in a funeral oration, described the deaths as tragic and painful, saying the patriots died when their services were most needed in the build up to the 2019 general elections.
The governor while praying God to grant their souls eternal rest and their family members to bear the irreparable losses, directed the immediate appointment of one member of the families to provide succor for them.
Ortom, who also told mourners at the funeral service that the excavated portion of the Aliade-Oju Road would be worked within three weeks, also charged Igede nation to remain peaceful as they go into the final phase of the 2019 elections.
Former Senate President, Senator David Mark and senatorial candidate for Zone C in the 2019 general elections, Comrade Abba Moro, in separate orations, said they were heartbroken and the incident was a personal loss to them.
They consoled the bereaved families and prayed God to grant their fallen heroes and heroine eternal rest, describing their deaths as tragic and traumatising.
Member representing Oju/Obi Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, who could not hold his tears said he lost key members of his campaign team in the accident, pointing out that the day would remain a black day in the history of Igede nation.
Bishop Methodist Church in Oju Local Government Area, Rt. Reverend Odeh Ocheke, urged the congregation to prepare for the last day as nobody knows when and where the final day would come.
Ortom had on arrival, paid homage on the Adirahu Ny Igede, Chief Oga Ero, a retired Commissioner of Police, where he condoled with the entire Igede nation on the tragic loss of their illustrious sons and daughter.