The Bayelsa government has directed police authorities to
probe the shooting incident at a rally held by loyalists of Nyesom Wike in the
state.
On Saturday, supporters of Wike, minister of the federal
capital territory (FCT), staged a rally in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.
The rally was organised by New Associates, a pro-Wike
political group led by George Turnah, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP).
Some minutes after the rally started, sounds of gunshots
echoed in the air as attendees scampered for safety.
The gunshots were said to have been fired from a nearby
bush. The rally would eventually proceed as planned minutes after the incident.
In a statement on Sunday, Obiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Bayelsa
commissioner of information, said the police should identify and arrest those
involved in the shooting.
The state government said the incident was not a
“coincidence as the organisers had earlier threatened that ‘the good, the bad
and the ugly’ would attend the event”.
The government also said the organisers made use of a
campground belonging to a religious organisation.
“While noting that the event negated guidelines for
political activities as stipulated in the Electoral Act and by the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), the government observed that it was held
on the campground of a religious organisation,” the statement reads.
“It warned political groups in the state not to drag
religious organisations into their partisan activities that desecrate sacred
places of worship.
“It further stated that it would not hesitate to sanction
any religious organisation that breaches the law.
“The government restated its commitment to sustaining the
peace in the state as well as ensuring the security of lives and property of
all residents.”
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
The Electoral Act 2022 frowns upon the use of designated
places of worship for political campaigns and rallies.
Section 92 (3) of the act states that: “Places designated
for religious worship, police stations, and public offices shall not be used—
(a) for political campaigns, rallies and processions.”
THE CONTROVERSY
The build-up to the rally was rife with controversy as Douye
Diri, the governor of Bayelsa, had insisted that the event was likely to
trigger violence.
However, Wike’s supporters dismissed the governor’s comment
and vowed to go ahead with the rally — initially scheduled for April 11 at
Tombia roundabout open field in Yenagoa.
On April 3, the high court in Yenagoa restrained Wike’s
supporters from holding the rally.
The order was made following an ex parte application filed
by Biriyai Dambo, the Bayelsa attorney-general.
To counter the move of Wike’s supporters, loyalists of Diri
had organised a separate rally at the same location and on the same day.
Due to the development, Wike’s supporters postponed their
planned rally to April 26 to avoid potential clashes.
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