The All Progressives
Congress (APC) governorship primary, taking place at the Samson Siasia Stadium
in Yenagoa, was on Tuesday turned to a battle field as supporters of two
leading governorship aspirants, Timi Alaibe and Timipre Sylva engaged
themselves in violent clashes which left scores, including Alaibe,
injured.
"It was a pathetic
sight to see a political event reduced to a combat", said an eye witness.
Trouble was said to have
started when it was discovered by Alaibe and his supporters that accredited
delegates from Brass, the LG of his arch-rival, Sylva, were far more than all
delegates from the other LGs combined an
anomaly seen by Alaibe and his supporters that a heated argument ensued
resulting in a free- for- all between the opposing camps.
Further investigation
showed that many of those who participated in the fracas were ordinarily not
supposed to attend the primary because they were not delegates but came as organized
party thugs.
All efforts by the Adams
Oshiomhole committee responsible for the conduct of the primary election to
save the day, and that of the police proved abortive as Alaibe, in company of his
close associates, left the venue in obvious protest of the situation.
Alaibe was said to be
getting ready to address a press conference on the issue later today.
Meanwhile, findings also
indicated that some of the governorship aspirants have stepped down for the
former governor, Timipre Sylva.
As at the time of filing
this report, Sylva was leading in the number of votes cast and likely to emerge
winner.
No comments:
Post a Comment