Governor Oluseyi Makinde of Oyo State, has denied media reports that his convoy killed a child in Ogbomoso during a political campaign rally, ahead of Saturday local government elections in the town.
Gov Oluseyi Makinde had taken to his official Twitter account on Thursday 20th May 20-21, to deny the allegation, where he said though the kid was killed by a driver in a Toyota Matrix who was not part of his convoy, an investigation was ongoing into the incident.
Taking to his Twitter handle, he said, “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.”
Also speaking on the incident, the Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, on behalf of Gov Oluseyi Makinde, expressed the governor’s condolence to the family of the deceased child in a statement.
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 (PDP) campaign rally.
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.