By James Febebebo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) of Bayelsa State has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of carrying out planned attacks against its members and supporters in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state and called on security agencies to end the trend.
Speaking during a press conference at the party secretariat in Yenagoa on Tuesday, Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Otiotio Dennis, also accused the PDP of harassing and intimidating some of its members and supporters in the local government area as well as carrying out attacks in Kaiama, the council headquarters and Odi.
Describing the alleged attacks as troubling, the party chairman said shots were fired at APC members and supporters’ homes saying that the attacks took place on October 26, 27 and 28 respectively.
Dr. Dennis said: “There is a serious issue that has been going on in Bayelsa State. The PDP-led government and their supporters have systematically orchestrated plans to attack, intimidate and harass our members and supporters in the various local government areas particularly in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area where (Governor) Douye Diri hails from and that is why it has become imperative for the leadership of the party to draw the attention of all: the press, security agencies and the general public”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the APC said that the Appeal Court in Abuja has upheld the qualification of the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, to contest the November 11 governorship election in the state. The court did this by setting aside the pronouncement by a Federal High Court in Abuja which said Chief Sylva was not qualified to contest the election having taken oath of office twice.
He said by the development, he expects Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include Chief Sylva’s name in the final list of governorship candidates for the Bayelsa governorship election.
Speaking on the alleged attacks on its members and supporters, Dr. Dennis called on security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services among others to take action and prevent further attacks.
He said some of the victims were in hospital while others with visible signs of injury inflicted on them by alleged attackers were at the press conference.
Dr. Dennis said: “Some of the victims are here and I will allow them to recap what happened to them”.
He however said the APC will be campaigning until 9 November with two days to the governorship election.
One of the victims, Pastor Iyalla Godwin, spoke to newsmen.
Dr. Dennis who described the APC as a peace-loving party said that the party leadership told its supporters to campaign within the ambits of the law.
He said a trending video concerning the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Great Joshua Maciver, was doctored.
On the judgement by the Appeal Court, the party chairman said it is a good omen for the APC saying the plaintiff who did not participate in the governorship primary lacked locus standi to institute the suit.
He also said the PDP will be devastated by the judgement of the court.
However, attempt to obtain contact number of PDP Publicity Secretary for his reaction on the attacks allegedly carried out by his party failed.