As thugs unleash violence on party faithful
Hell was let loose yesterday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Office, Legacy House, Abuja, as suspected party thugs caused confusion at the venue of the party South-south Integration Committee meeting.
The session between the committee led by Senator Iya Abubakar and aggrieved factions from Rivers State was almost disrupted as supporters loyal to an aspirant for the party governorship ticket, took control of “security’ at the venue, blocking certain party chieftains from gaining entrance.
Daily Sun findings revealed that policemen attached to Legacy House were helpless as party chieftains were manhandled and prevented from having access to the committee to partake in its proceedings.
Further checks revealed that only former governor Peter Odili and Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, were allowed to have access to the committee. Those who were not members of the Grassroots Democratic Initiatives, were subjected to harassment.
One of those beaten was Lolo Ibieneye, former Commissioner for Water Resources under Odili. Also beaten were Professor Israel Owate and Tabotamuno Dick. Television cameramen were also beaten up.
Speaking on his ordeal, Ibiene expressed regret that party thugs were unleashed on party faithful at the venue of what was supposed to be a trouble shooting efforts:
“In an attempt to stop the molestation and harassment of party stakeholders from entering the hall to defend their petitions, they shoved me, that is not what we expect at the moment, at all. The molestation of stakeholders and journalists should not have happened, it is not necessary at all.
“If it happened in Abuja with few of us in attendance, what would have happened if the meeting had taken place in Rivers State?
“The national leadership of the party must know that it is not well with Rivers PDP. It is a clear indication that PDP in the state is sitting on a keg of gun powder, waiting to explode.”
Some of the aggrieved party faithful left the venue of the meeting for the party national secretariat where they were addressed by the party national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh.
Metuh allayed their fears and maintained that a level playing field would be provided for all the aspirants in the governorship primaries fixed for November 29:
“We are promising you, that is what will happen in Rivers and every single state of the federation. Our party is against consensus candidate and any idea of intimidating the people. There should be no intimidation and coercion,”
He pleaded with them to remain calm and restated the party national working commitment to uphold true democratic tenets and principles in its nomination processes.
Oni Quakers, who led the protesters to the party national secretariat cautioned against imposition of governorship candidate in the state. He specifically warned against the emergence of an Ikwere indigene as PDP governorship flag bearer, as he noted that Ikwere had ruled the state for 16 years.
Speaking with Daily Sun on phone, PDP national vice-chairman, South-South, Cairo Ojougboh, claimed ignorance of the mayhem.

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