Gunmen suspected to be political thugs on Saturday attempted to stall the inauguration of Nyesom Wike’s supporters group, tagged New Associates, at the Church of God Mission Camp in Igbogene, Yenagoa.
The New Associates was said to be organised by the FCT Minister, Mr Wike, to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of Bayelsa into positions in his government.
The rally, earlier scheduled for April 12, was postponed to April 26 after supporters of Governor Douye Diri also fixed their rally on the same date and venue.
The supporters of New Associates, who had thronged the venue as early as 8:00 a.m., were already seated when the gunmen emerged from the nearby creeks, shooting sporadically.
The crowd, however, dispersed but immediately regrouped when security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and SSS engaged the hoodlums to retreat.
The operatives also combed the surrounding bushes to forestall any further attacks.
Shortly after the incident, the secretary of the New Associates and former spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the Bayelsa government of trying to disrupt the peaceful rally.
He said the rally was to appreciate Mr Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of the state in positions in his government, wondering why somebody should feel threatened with such a peaceful rally.
Mr Ekerefe said: “How will somebody go after law-abiding citizens, particularly Ijaw youths, who have gathered to associate politically?
“We are not here to cause any trouble; we are here to express our support and solidarity to the president and commander-in-chief,” he said.
Also, the immediate past Commissioner for Health in Bayelsa, Pabara Igwele, said the rally was peaceful.
George Turnah, convener of the group, commended the crowd for their resilience despite the earlier incident.
Mr Turnah commended Mr Wike for his resolve to collaborate with Mr Tinubu for the rapid development of the Niger Delta region.
(NAN)
