Emohua, Emohua LGA, Rivers State; Gombe, Gombe State - Tension between supporters of both the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress soars, as there were reports of several clashes during the weekend. APC and PDP followers engaged in fighting in Emohua, headquarters of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday, and on Saturday in Gombe, Gombe State.
Rivers State conflict
The secretariat of the LG chapter of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), a pressure group established by the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, was ruined in the process.
According to eyewitnesses, the disorder was triggered by a number of unidentified gunmen who opened fire on the LG secretariat field, which was the venue of a rally organised by the APC.
The APC supporters, most of them young people, accused former chairman of the LG council, serving Director General (Operations) of the Felix Obuah-led PDP in the state, Hon. Chukuwemeka Woke, of masterminding the shooting. It was their attempt to retaliate that led to the destruction of the GDI secretariat.
When contacted, Mr. Woke denied involvement in the shooting at the APC rally. He suggested intead that the scenario was created by the APC members to give them the opportunity to vandalise the GDI secretariat, which was opened by Wike, who is the patron of the group.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Rivers State, Ahmed Mohammed, was unaware of the clash.
Reports reaching us suggest that Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture Emma Chinda has accused PDP, GDI members of masterminding attacks on APC members in Buguma and Emohua.
It will be recalled that the state has been torn by constant crises following the disagreements between the Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, and also the trouble within the State House of Assembly.
Meanwhile, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have condemned the sudden change of mind by the State Police Command over their resumption of plenary today, Monday, December 24, 2013.
The State Police Command, which had earlier assured the lawmakers that it would open the House of Assembly complex for them to resume sitting, made a U-turn at the weekend, warning lawmakers not to come near the building housing the state legislature.
Gombe State struggle
On Saturday, supporters of the APC and the PDP engaged in fighting at the Emir of Gombe's palace at the wedding [fatiha] of Inuwa Yahaya's daughter.
Eyewitness Bala Rosi of Jeka da fari, Gombe metropolis, says the youths belonging to the two political camps started trading bitter words after the wedding ceremony which was held at the mosque.
Apparently, APC supporters began chanting "Sai Buhari," and those loyal to the PDP replied by "Ba muyi" ["We are not in support"]. Then, PDP supporters started throwing stones and other dangerous weapons at their APC rivals.
A member representing Gombe Kwami federal constituency, Honourable Khamisu Mailantarki, was almost lynched by the angry mob at the venue. He immediately fled to Bauchi.
Two people sustained serious injuries in the process, and the fight was stopped only after the security forces intervened.
The Gombe State Public Relations Officer, Fwaje Aatajiri, said he was not aware of the clash.
RELATED ARTICLE: Rivers Crisis: Widows Ask God For Governor Amaechi's Protection
RELATED ARTICLE: CONTROVERSIAL LETTER: 'I Believe In What I Wrote, I Have My Facts' - Obasanjo Insists
RELATED ARTICLE: Wole Soyinka: APC/OBASANJO "ROMANCE" - A Shipwreck?
RELATED ARTICLE: BREAKING NEWS: President Jonathan Replies Obasanjo, Reminds OBJ About Odi Massacre In Daring Reply
RELATED ARTICLE: APC/OBASANJO MEETING: Obasanjo Arrives At His Mansion Ahead Of Meeting With APC Leaders
RELATED ARTICLE: REVEALED: Why I’m In APC — Governor Amaechi
RELATED ARTICLE: Breaking News: Another Bombing in Rivers, Justice's Office Affected
No comments:
Post a Comment