Bayelsa Polls: 5 feared dead, scores injured as suspected APC thugs disrupt PDP rally

Nembe Ogbolomabiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was thrown in to confusion following the alleged invasion of the gubernatorial campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by armed men suspected to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
ABUJAPEOPLE gathered that a staff of the Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation (BSBC) and driver of the Outside Broadcasting van (OBVAN) identified as Simon Onu was hit by stray bullet and died on the spot while trying to maneuver his vehicle from the troubled spot.
Four other persons identified as supporters of the PDP and indigenes of the Nembe-Ogbolomabiri community were reported killed in the bloody shooting, while a policeman was reportedly shot in the leg.
The governorship campaign rally of the PDP which was slated to hold in the area was disrupted and party loyalists were chased out of the area.
Governor Seriake Dickson, who was billed to attend the rally in company of the candidate of the party, Senator Douye Diri, however condemned the bloody attack.
Trouble ensued when reports filter to the PDP supporters that the home of the commissioner of education, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite was ransacked by the hoodlums. Supporters of one of the political parties started defacing posters and flags of the rival Political party.
Serious shooting by armed men reportedly rocked the King Koko Square venue of the campaign as party supporters waiting for the dignitaries to arrive took to their heels.
The attackers ABUJAPEOPLE gathered opened fire on the Protocol bus of the Bayelsa State Government House along the junction between Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri.
Some journalists, including James Akam of the Daily Post and Mike Taiyese of the Daily Asset newspapers, covering the rally were also caught in the cross fire as many others sustained various degree of injuries..
The trapped journalists were however rescued and moved out of the troubled area by armed military personnel.
Confirming the shootings, the incident, spokesperson of the Nembe Chiefs Council, Chief Nengi James, said there was a clash between rival supporters of the PDP and APC in Nembe resulting in injuries.
He said: “I can confirm that supporters of the PDP and APC clashed in Nembe with some persons sustaining various degree of injuries, but however, no death has been recorded.”
Also, a prominent indigene of the area and former senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, has condemned the act of provocation and violence released on the community by supporters of the People Democratic Party (PDP).
In his statement Barigha-Amangi noted that the approved venue for the PDP rally was King Koko Square and instead of going about their normal business of the day, they went about chanting war songs around the community terrorising and molesting passersby.
Barigha-Amange said the development was uncalled for, because other patties did use the same venue for their rallies which was very peaceful and rancour free.
He however warned that no individual should hide under any political platform to breach the already existing peace and harmonious relationship amongst the people in Nembe.
He also called on the various security agencies in the area to redouble their efforts in stopping trouble makers from further terrorising the peace loving people of Nembe in name of politics as no group would be allowed to overrun the Nembe community.
The opposition APC, in a swift reaction debunked the claims by the PDP that those involved in the bloody fracas and shooting are opposition members.
The Police public relations officer in the state, Asinim Bustwart, was yet to respond as at press time.
While reacting to the development, the national vice-chairman of PDP (South-South), Elder Emmanuel Ogidee, described the incident as unfortunate despite the peace accord. According to him, the APC were there to campaign, and no one attacked them.
“I think I know why they did this, it is because they did it during the last election and got away with it. It is unacceptable. I don’t know why the APC people are blood thirsty.
“We want the federal government to take action. We want the government to bring those involved to book. We, as the PDP, will not take the law into our own hands. We call on security agencies to take action. Election is not war. I’m worried that the APC as a party are blood thirsty,” he stated.