The campaign flag-off of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo South Senatorial District on Wednesday turned bloody as one person was reportedly shot dead.

Others who sustained various degrees of injuries were hospitalised in the incident that happened at ward 7, Ewu community in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

The campaign Director for the local government, Barrister Anselm Ojezua, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City said the incident had been reported to the police for a thorough investigation.

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Ojezua said due to the unfortunate incident, the party has decided to suspend all political campaign rallies until the police come up with their investigation and findings.

According to him, expectedly, the outcome of the flag off which covered ward 1 to 5 of the Senatorial District, was indeed successful, as party members as well as supporters of the party came out enmass to show solidarity to all the party’s candidates.

“With the same high spirit and in view of the success recorded at the flag off, the Party decided to take its campaigns to ward 7 and 8 in Ewu, on Wednesday 18th January, 2023.

“Today’s campaign rally however had a sad occurrence as it was gathered that while the campaign rally was ongoing in ward 7, the sound of gun shots was heard some distance away from where the rally was taking place.

“Disturbed by this sound of gun shots, the leaders of the PDP leading the rally, decided to lead their members and supporters to a safe location.

“The PDP as a peace loving political party which understands the place of the rule of law in a constitutional democracy, has reported this sad and unfortunate occurrence to the police for a thorough investigation into the matter.

“We later heard of possible loss of lives in this incident, which has led us as a party to put on hold all political campaign rallies until the police come up with their investigation and findings”, he said.

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Ojezua who said the campaign council, however, regrets the loss of lives as a result from the incident, prayed for the repose of the dead.

He assured all supporters of the party that all campaign rallies will resume shortly, as the council awaits the police investigation to ascertain the root cause of the incident.