News
Sorrow, tears and blood at Tinubu/Shettima Campaign flag-off in Ilorin
* Vehicle crushes Kwara APC woman leader' sister to death at venue, others injured * I'm still in shock, Tawa Agaka
By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu/ Kashim Shettima presidential campaign flag-off on Thursday in Ilorin ended in tragedy as a vehicle allegedly belonging to one of the top dignitaries crushed one Toyin, a younger sister to the woman leader of APC in kwara state, Alhaja Tawa Agaka to death and several others severely injured.
The tragedy occurred at the Metropolitan Square, venue of the campaign flag-off, along Asa Dam road in the state capital.
The presidential campaign flag-off which attracted high ranking party members, was led by Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari. She was supported by the kwara state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, his wife, Amb. Olufolake, wives of Tinubu and Shettima Sen. Oluremi and Nana. Also present were other first ladies from APC states, kwara state deputy governor, Kayode Alabi and top party officials from Abuja and across the country.
According to an eyewitness, Toyin’s life was cut short at the venue by a vehicle on reverse which pinned her to another vehicle. The driver of the vehicle who was reportedly shocked by the consequence of his action, tried to drive away in panic, but ended up hitting many others, leaving them severely injured.
There was however conflicting claims over who owned the vehicle involved in the accident.
One eyewitness told National Pilot that the vehicle belongs to the Kwara first lady, Folake while another dismissed the claim, saying the first lady’s vehicle was nowhere near the incident.
Throwing more light on how Toyin”s life wss cut short, another eyewitness said, “Toyin was at the back of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle reversed unknowingly, the driver hit her and pinned her to the vehicle at back until she died.
“ Everybody shouted, and the noise attracted the attention of dignitaries at the event.
“ She was rushed to hospital but all effort to revived her went in vain.” The eyewitness revealed.
The witness revealed further that, following the mishap, the driver in panic, frantically tried to move the vehicle away from the victim but ended up injuring several others. The dead victim,Toyin and the injured ones were rushed to the hospital where Toyin’s death was confirmed and battle commenced to save the lives of the injured.
Toyin, before her tragic death was a leader of a group in kwara APC, named CK .
When contacted, Toyin’s elder sister and Kwara APC woman leader, Alhaja Tawa Agaka told National Pilot on telephone that the death of her sister came to her in rude shock, leaving her numb with sorrow.
According to her, she was there at metropolitan square the venue of the campaign. She was on the high table with the other top notches of the party, enjoying the fun of the flag-off when suddenly there was an outcry of accident. She went over with others to see what was happening, only to meet the lifeless body of her sister on the floor. ” I was at the high table at the event. I just heard the noise and we went there to confirm the situation and on getting there to see the victim, she turned out to be my sister”.
Agaka said she is still in shock over her sister’s tragic death.
” I’m devastated. I’m still in shock. I can’t believe Toyin is gone “
She told National Pilot that Toyin has been buried according to Islamic rites and Fridau prayer will be held for her at Agaka compound at 9am on Sunday.
