Wada’s Convoy In Auto Crash

… ADC Dies, Gov Critically Injured

THESE are trying times for Nigeria’s state governors, as yet one of them, Idris Wada of Kogi State, was seriously injured in an auto crash on Friday.

Reports said the governor’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) and a driver in the convoy died instantly.

A statement signed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jacob Edi, confirmed the report.

It said: “The governor survived the road mishap and is in stable condition.

“Sadly, however, the governor’s Aide de Camp (ADC), Idris Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), died on the spot.

“The accident occurred Friday (yesterday) afternoon at Emi Woro Village, about 12 kilometres into the state capital, between Prime Polytechnic and Salem University, in Ajaokuta Council.

“The convoy was returning from an annual Igala Education Summit, which the governor declared open at the state university in Anyigba.”

Initial reports attributed the accident to a burst tyre.

Unconfirmed reports had it that Wada was taken to the Kogi State Hospital in Lokoja and was later flown to Abuja for further treatment.

But a source close to the government denied that he had been taken out of the state, saying the governor was well and even walked around after being treated.

The late Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa died in an air crash near Okoroba, Bayelsa State, along with the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Owoeye Azazi, who was buried today in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Not long ago, Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai and three others were fatally injured when a jet he was piloting crashed close to Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

He is still recuperating in a hospital in Germany.

The convoys of some state governors had been involved in road accidents, sometimes resulting in losses of lives.

In September, two persons died in a convoy accident involving Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema.

The convoy of the Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, had a crash on his way to Lapai area of the state for a campaign rally for last year’s governorship election.

Also, the convoy of Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura had a fatal accident along the Nasarawa-Tooto Highway, with some aides of the governor dying.

In April, the convoy of Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, was involved in an accident in which three journalist lost their lives.

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, confirmed that drivers in the convoy of governors and other important personalities, are reckless and called on the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) to assist in their training.

“Some of the convoy drivers are reckless and take advantage of being in the convoy to be irresponsible and misbehave …

“It is even worse sometimes when the governors are not in the convoy,” Uduaghan said.

The FRSC had in the past warned convoy drivers against over-speeding and violation of traffic rules.