Barely nineteen days after defecting into the fold of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd) Wednesday slumped and died.
Inokoba, aged 67 years, reportedly slumped and died in Lagos while on a private visit to his family.
A source from the family said Inokoba slumped at a hotel room and was rushed to a Military hospital where he finally died.
Inokoba was reported to have procured his "Expression of Intent and Nomination Form" at the APC Secretariat in Abuja to contest the Governorship election primaries of the party.
According to his son, Waripamo Inokoba, "my father slumped at about 2 am in the early hours of Wednesday and was confirmed dead before he could reach the hospital. Some of our people are on their way to Lagos to bring back his corpse."
The Inokoba family, in a statement signed by the elder brother of the deceased , Clee Inokoba and his first son, Waripamowei Inokoba, confirmed his passing.
The Bayelsa State Government has however expressed shock over the demise of the former State PDP Chairman. According to the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Markson-Iworiso, "the death of Retired Colonel Inokoba is sad and a painful loss to the State."
"He will greatly be missed by his family and close associates, especially the political class.We pray that God grant the family the fortitude with which to bear the irreparable loss as well as grant his soul enter all rest.We assure the family of the Government's preparedness to support and participate in the rites of passage for the late Col. Inokoba."
Earlier news that Inokoba died at the home of the Timi Alaibe has been denied by the former MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC); Mr. Alaibe told Saharareporters that he was in Abuja at the Transcorp hotel.