PDP thugs attack our supporters after rally, alleges APC chieftain

By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Bayelsa State acting governor, Chief Nestor Binabo, has alleged that APC supporters were attacked by suspected thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after a rally.

Binabo, a former speaker of the House of Assembly, alleged that after the rally in his riverine Okumbiri community in Sagbama Local Government on Tuesday, the thugs invaded the venue and attacked APC members.

He said the attack occurred after he departed the venue, where he supported the APC governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, ahead of the November 16 election.

Binabo said: “I was at the rally, which attracted a huge crowd in my village. It was a successful rally. But while I was on my way to Yenagoa, I received calls that PDP thugs, who were envious of the mass support for the APC, invaded the venue.

“I found out that they were armed with broken bottles and machetes. They came at a time our members were trying to clear the venue. They broke the tables and chairs. I find it very annoying and disturbing that my kinsmen would attack their fellow kinsmen because of politics.

Read Also: PDP expresses shock over Supreme Court verdict

“We in the APC believe in a peaceful process of electioneering. We ask the PDP leaders to call their supporters to order because nobody has monopoly of violence. I know those involved in the attack and I won’t let this matter be swept under the carpet.”

He urged the police to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits, saying security agents must ensure peace before, during and after the poll.

Binabo said it was unfortunate that PDP members were showing a lot of aggression ahead of the election, but at the same time accusing APC members of violence.

While addressing the crowd that turned up for the rally, Binabo described Governor Seriake Dickson as an emperor.

He said: “As an acting governor in 2012, I handed over the reins of power to Dickson. We gave him the support, including Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who was then the President. The government I presided over gave Dickson all the support and made him a governor.”