NEDU MARK , Yenagoa
Following the sudden death of the immediate past Bayelsa state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Col Sam Inokogba (rtd), Governor Seriake Dickson has expressed his ‘shock and total disbelief’ over the incident which occurred, Tuesday night.
Col Inokogba reportedly slumped shortly after procuring a nomination form to contest the December 5 Governorship elections on the platform of his new party, the APC.
The late Elder Inokogba who defected to All Progressives Congress APC recently had only just procured the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination form to contest the governorship primaries days before his death.
Governor Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Markson Iworiso described the death of Inokoba, as a ‘sad and painful loss.’
Dickson said the late Inokogba ‘will be greatly missed by his family and close associates, especially the political class.’
The statement ‘prayed God to grant the family the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss as well as grant his soul eternal rest.’
It also assured the bereaved family of the government’s preparedness to support and participate in the rites of passage for late Col. Inokoba.
On his part, a chieftain of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, a one-time Governor of the state, described the late Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd) as a ‘great community leader and an intelligent politician whose contributions to society will be missed by the whole Bayelsa and, indeed, Nigeria.’
Sylva in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Doifie Buokori said the death of Inokoba had ‘left a vacuum that would be impossible to fill.’
Inokoba defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), penultimate week, alongside more than 1000 PDP members.
“The news of the death of Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd) was a terrible shock to me, my family, and the entire All Progressives Congress family both in Bayelsa State and Nigeria, in general. We share the grief of his family and friends.
“Inokoba was not only close to me, personally, but as a new convert to the current change agenda in Bayelsa State, we shared dreams of a better state, thoughts about the challenges ahead, and regrets about the condition of things in our state. He leaves a vacuum that can never be filled. His intellect, political sagacity, insight, and passion for the state, the Ijaw nation, and Nigeria, generally, were wonderful qualities that we cherished.
“Inokoba was a true leader, a successful family man, and a great community leader, and a retired soldier. Our thoughts are with the bereaved family in this time of grief. Inokoba will be missed by all of us,” Sylva stated.
He, however, said that ‘the people of Bayelsa State will take solace in the political and communal legacies left by Inokogba.’
“We know that the memory of Inokoba will serve as an inspiration to all Bayelsans that knew him.”
The APC chieftain’s sudden death sent a shock to residents of Bayelsa communities as it is still being discussed in hushed tones among members of the APC.
Before his death, Inokoba was said to have picked his governorship form two days ago to contest the forthcoming election on the platform of the APC.
A source confirmed that immediately he got his form, he went to Lagos for a “crucial meeting with some APC politicians” on the need for him (Inokoba) to shelve his ambition.
It will be recalled that a week ago the same late Inokoba reportedly slumped at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Nembe.
The report was denied by Inokoba and his political associates. In the report, Inokoba was said to be receiving regular financial support from the Bayelsa State Government to facilitate his frequent medical treatment abroad.
Another account said that he was rushed to a medical facility in Lagos after he reportedly slumped in Nembe and was receiving treatment at the facility before he passed on.
