Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been accused of taking his trademark political violence to another level on Tuesday at Opobo, the home Local Government Area of Dr. Dakuku Peterside and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Siminialayi Fubara.
According to a statement from Dr. Dakuku’s media office, signs that Wike through the Opobo- Nkoro LGA Chairman will go to any length to stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Opobo, which is an emerging pattern in Rivers State, showed early in the day.
“Canopies and public address system at the venue were vandalised by identified PDP hoodlums about 7 am and several persons were injured.
“After that morning, armed men donning camouflage uniforms abducted the LGA Campaign Coordinator, Boma Brown, and sped out of the town with him., “However, their plot was aborted in Bori, Headquarters of Khana LGA, when the Sienna vehicle in which he was whisked away was intercepted at the Roundabout, by policemen attached to Dr. Dakuku Peterside, following distress calls by the terrified party faithful.
“An exchange of gunfire was also recorded between a team of Policemen who claimed to have rescued Mr. Brown on the orders of the Divisional Police Officer, Bori, and those attached to the State APC Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, at Kaana Petroleum filling Station in Bori when one of the Police officers opened fire that could have killed Chief Beke.
“Eventually, the Tonye Cole led team with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DC Shehu Mohammed got to Opobo to meet a group of young boys numbering over 500 fully armed who opened fire on APC faithful.
“Several persons were injured. Over 30 cars in the gubernatorial candidates’ convoy were destroyed.
Bottles were freely thrown at APC members who had gathered at various points in Opobo to escort Tonye to the rally venue, where there were over 5000 persons.
“It will be recalled that similar incidents had taken place at Etche, Igbo, and Port Harcourt against Tonye Cole.
“The Rivers APC governorship campaign rally grounds in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area was attacked with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and sporadic gunfire.
“Magnus Abe, candidate of SDP was also attacked by Wike’s agents in Ahoda West and Tai LGAs while Dumo Lulu- Briggs of Accord Party was attached in Etche,” the statement stated.
