A former corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and former minister for aviation, Osita Chidoka has emerged the candidate of the United Progressives Party (UPP) for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
However, a party faithful on Saturday paid the ultimate price as he slumped and died during the primaries.
Emerging reports say the man may have died after he slumped as a result of police teargas he inhaled during a stampede.
The man identified as Abuchi Uwakwe was a delegate from Owere Ezikela ward in Orumba South Local Government area of the state, and the chairman of the party in the ward.
Witnesses say a commotion broke out at the venue of the exercise over a disagreement on the delegates’ list, which also saw one of the contenders storm out if the venue in anger, as the party refused to stop the exercise as he requested.
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It was gathered that his supporter, and some youths angered by the development, caused a commotion, but were confronted by the police, who reportedly used teargas in efforts to chase them away.
The victim was said to have inhaled the fume and died shortly after.
The police however denied he died from the teargas, insisting that he died from a fracas at the event,
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Nkeiru Nwode was quoted to have said “Some people came to the venue to cause trouble, but they were locked out. I think the man slumped and died as a result of the stampede that ensued”.
Chidoka emerged the UPP candidate after his only opponent in the contest, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chudi Offodile, withdrew from the race.
Offodile announced his withdrawal from the race while delegates were still being accredited for the polls.
Chidoka later emerged candidate of the party for the November 18 governorship election in the state with a total of 1,222 votes.
