Politics

One dead, 2 injured as violence rocks APC rally in Bayelsa

 

One person died while two others were injured when thugs attacked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Sagbama area of Bayelsa.

A resident of Sagbama Local Government Area, who witnessed the incident, said about 15 thugs used dangerous weapons to disperse people at the event.

The intervention of the police prevented the situation from degenerating further, witnesses said.

“The governor of Bayelsa who is leader of rival PDP hails from Sagbama and the place is considered a base of PDP and it is the rivalry that played out and went sour,” one witness said.

Asinim Butswat, the spokesman of Bayelsa Police Command, said one of the suspected thugs was arrested, according to a statement.

”On Saturday evening, thugs disrupted APC campaign rally at Tungbabiri, Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa,” Mr Nurse at, a deputy superintendent of police, said.

“The thugs numbering about 15 disrupted and attacked APC party faithful at a Political rally at Tungbabiri.

“ In the ensuing melee, one Braye Embikorobiri of Tungbabiri Community sustained critical injuries and later died.

“Two other victims, names yet unknown were critically injured and are responding to treatment in the hospital.

“One suspect,Mr Isaac Abrowei, 42, from Bolou-Orua, but resident at Tungbabiri has been arrested.

“The thugs who masterminded the act and their alleged sponsor have been identified and the Police have launched a manhunt to arrest them.”

The spokesman assured that the Bayelsa Police command has mobilized officers to restore normalcy in the community and that efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Jonathan Amos and Doifie Buokoribo, state Chairman and spokesman of the APC were unreachable on their mobile phones.

 


Lagos APC leaders halt move to impeach Ambode

The impeachment crisis hovering over the head of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has been resolved following a meeting between the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and other leaders of the party in the state.

The Lagos State House of Assembly had threatened to commence impeachment proceedings against Ambode over allegations of illegal budgetary spendings and gross misconduct.

Ambode is yet to present the 2019 budget before the lawmakers.

A statement made available to Premium Times on Sunday said a special Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC) held a meeting in Marina, Lagos, where the issues between the two parties were resolved.

“We held a meeting on behalf of entire Lagosians,” Tinubu was quoted as saying in the statement.

“In the last one week or so, there has been some talk about a conflict between the Executive and the Legislature in Lagos. This is of great concern to us.

“We looked at the source of the conflict, which is normal in a democracy, and that is why there are also conflict-resolution mechanisms.”

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said the meeting examined the grievances on both sides.

“As leaders, we also looked into areas where there has to be a compromise. In order to build institutions and encourage consensus-building, we have to do what is right,” he said.

“There is no impeachment. Let there be more communication and consensus-building and understanding. All these are inbuilt in the democratic system.

“We thank the Speaker and the leadership of the House. We thank the Governor and the Deputy Governor. They have all demonstrated respect for the party leadership in Lagos. You know when Lagos sneezes, other areas catch cold. We are happy that we are able to resolve the conflict and things will start moving well going forward.”

An APC leader in the state, Tajudeen Olusi, was quoted as saying conflict is an institutional part of the governance and the executive and legislature must work together.

“The APC leader (Mr Tinubu) has spoken,” Olusi, a top party member from Lagos Central senatorial district, said.

“This is just to further confirm the decisions that we reached. We have reached a decision that they must work together amicably. And very soon, both the Legislature and the Executive must resolve the grey areas in their relationship.”

The GAC is considered the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos State.

Also in attendance at the Marina meeting were Mr Ambode; his deputy, Idiat Adebule; House speaker, Mudashiru Obasa; deputy speaker, Wasiu Esinlokun; among others.

Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button