ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has appealed for calm following the death of Mr Adeda Ekwevugbe, a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, amid ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement signed by him, Dafinone expressed sadness over the death and urged members of the public, particularly the people of Ughelli Kingdom, the Urhobo nation and civil servants across Delta State, to allow the ongoing investigations to run their course.
The senator said Ekwevugbe’s death was deeply painful, describing the deceased as an Urhobo son and a public servant whose loss had left his family, colleagues and the wider community grieving and seeking answers.
He acknowledged the steps taken by the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to establish an Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The panel, constituted in consultation with organised labour, has been given two weeks to complete its assignment, while the Delta State Police Command is conducting a separate investigation into the incident.
Dafinone said the decision to institute the administrative inquiry was an important step towards establishing the facts, but stressed that the process should be allowed to proceed without interference.
He appealed to those affected by the incident not to allow grief and anger to undermine efforts to determine what actually happened.
“Our grief and legitimate demand for answers must not be allowed to undermine the very process required to establish the truth,” he said.
The senator, however, stressed that the call for calm should not be interpreted as a call to overlook any wrongdoing that may emerge from the investigations.
He said the relevant authorities must follow the evidence wherever it leads and ensure that anyone found culpable is dealt with in accordance with the law.
Dafinone also called for an investigation that would be transparent and impartial, saying the outcome should provide credible answers to the deceased’s family, colleagues and the wider public.
He said he would continue to follow developments surrounding the matter and engage with the state government, security agencies and other relevant authorities as the investigations progress.
The senator extended his condolences to the Ekwevugbe family of Ughelli Kingdom, praying for strength and comfort for them, as well as for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul.
