Tension as gunmen disrupt pro-Tinubu, Wike rally in Bayelsa

Tension as gunmen disrupt pro-Tinubu, Wike rally in Bayelsa

 

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu

Arm

ed gunmen suspected to be sponsored political thugs on Saturday disrupted the pro-Wike rally and inauguration of the NEW Associates group at the Church of God Mission Camp at Igbogene, Yenagoa.

The rally organized by the supporters of the former Governor of Rivers State and present Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was said to be in appreciation of President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of Bayelsa into positions in government.

The rally, which had been stopped by court injunctions and political maneuvering by the Bayelsa State Government, was finally scheduled for Saturday. It was initially fixed for April 12 was shifted to April 26, after a court injunction upheld the suspension of the organizer and South South zonal secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Wike’s key loyalist.

Also, to cause more confusion to stop the rally, the supporters of Governor Douye Diri fixed their rally at an earlier date and venue.

After many failed attempts to scuttle the rally, supporters of NEW Associates had thronged the Church of God Mission Camp arena as early as 8am and were already seated, but armed gunmen emerged from the nearby creeks and bush, shooting sporadically.

The supporters, however, ran for their lives while the combined security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and DSS engaged the hoodlums to retreat.

Though there were no reported deaths, many who were fleeing from the shooting sustained various degrees of injuries, just as they combed the surrounding bushes to forestall any further attacks.

, the Secretary of NEW Associates and former spokesman of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the Bayelsa government of trying to scuttle their peaceful rally, vowing to continue with it.

He said they put up the peaceful rally to appreciate Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of the state in positions of responsibility in his government, wondering why somebody should feel threatened by a peaceful rally.

He said: “How will somebody go after the law-abiding citizens of Nigeria, particularly Ijaw youths, who have gathered to associate politically, we are not here to cause any trouble, we are here to express our support, solidarity to the President and Commander-in-Chief.”

Also, the immediate past Commissioner of Health in Bayelsa State, Dr Pabara Igwele, said the rally is a peaceful one, that anybody trying to cause panic is doing so for political reasons.

He vowed to continue with the rally despite the earlier disruption by hoodlums.

The rally, however, continued after the shooting had stopped as the Wike supporters regrouped and continued the engagement.