By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—AN  EIGHTEEN-man committee has been set up by Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to oversee the burial of its late State Chairman, Chief Samson Ekhabafe who died last Sunday in a ghastly multiple accident which occurred at the entrance to the Benedictine Monastery, Ewu, on the Benin-Auchi-Abuja highway.

The committee which is chaired by the State Deputy chairman of the party, Mr. Clement Edo-Osaagie, also includes Owelle Dickson Imasogie (State Vice-Chairman, Edo South), State Secretary, Mr. Felix Utubor, Chief Stephen Ifogah, Mrs. Philomena Iheyen, Chief Joshua Ogene, Mr. Henry Tenebe, Mrs. Stella Evboumwan and Mr. Akhere Ugbesia.

Others are the chairman of Akoko-Edo Local government council, Chief Johnsosn Emeasalu, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, Mr. Samson Esemuede, the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Frank Okiye, Mr. Felix Akhaue, Mr. Nosa Ehima and Mr. Johnson Abolagba.

Vanguard learnt that the committee which was set up after an emergency meeting of the party on Wednesday will among other things, liaise with the family of the late Ekhabafe on how to accord the late PDP chieftain a befitting burial.

It was gathered that the remains of the late PDP State Chairman was expected to be exhumed yesterday (Thursday, 18-06-09) by party faithful as he was buried in a shallow grave after the accident.

Meanwhile, the State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday commiserated with the Ekkhabafe family in particular and the families of his orderly, driver and the entire PDP family over the death of their loved ones.

The party in a statement signed by its State Secretary, Mr. Felix Utubor, said that the late Ekhabafe during his life time stood for uprightness, equity, fairness and justice in his interaction with his fellow men.

Saying that his death was not only a blow to the state chapter of the party, he described it as great loss to the PDP family and urged all its members to hold fast to the ideals which he stood for.

Similarly, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Zakawanu Garuba in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Dada Ayokhai said Ekhabafe died at a time when his political service as chairman of the PDP was most needed and crucial.

According to him, “The sudden death will continue to refresh in my memory, not only because of our party affiliation, but also for the fact that he was a person who was always ready to identify with people in the hours of need”.