The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the crash of the Associated Airline carrying the remains of former Gov. Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State to Akure for burial was unfortunate.
Mr Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, told the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the party received the news with shock.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of other promising Nigerians who were on board the ill-fated aircraft.’’
He condoled with the families of the dead and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
NAN reports that the chartered plane crashed at about 9.00am shortly after take-off from the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The plane was en route Akure, the Ondo State capital where the remains of the former governor was to lie in state.
Agagu died on Sept.13, and was scheduled to be buried this weekend.
Also, the splitter group of the PDP, led by Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, has urged Nigerians to remember the victims of the crash and their families in prayer.
The group also called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the nation in these difficult times.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Chukwuemeka Eze, National Publicity Secretary of the splitter group.
“We are shattered by the news of this unspeakable tragedy, especially as the flight also had some prominent personalities on board.
“Our hearts go out to the Agagu family, the families of victims of the crash, as well as the people and Government of Ondo State’’, the statement said.
It also condoled with President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians and the management of the Associated Airlines on the tragedy.
