RADIO WORKER SHOT DEAD AHEAD OF BALYESA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION, AS THUGS AMBUSH PARTY SUPPORTERS

The staff was reported shot dead when suspected thugs attacked a political rally ahead of the State’s Governorship election on Saturday, while eyewitness  said the attack occurred at around 2 p.m in Nembe which is said to be a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress( APC).

Penpushing further reports that, spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in the State, Fidelis Soriwei, gave the name of the deceased driver as Simon Onu, adding that many others may have been killed in the attack.

“We were going to do live coverage of the rally that is why we went with OB Van. Our people, including our media crew, are trapped at Nembe. How do you have a State where you can go to the Governor’s town to do rally, but the ruling party cannot go to Nembe to do rally?” Soriwei  said.

“There was no fight, you just brought out guns and started shooting at people. These are the same people who were shouting that PDP was stockpiling guns. Now, look at what has happened!”, the spokesperson said.

Penpushing  also reports that, Soriwei said Governor Dickson was expected to be at the rally, but was waiting to receive the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP), Uche Secondus, who was also expected to attain the rally.

“I think the flight that would have brought the national chairman was delayed that is why the governor didn’t move immediately to Nembe for the rally,” he said, and expressed disappointment with security agencies which he said were not living up to their task.

“Where are the men of the Nigerian Military? Where are the Police! Nigerians can now see who is stockpiling arms! All these deaths just because of campaigns! Is this an election? What a descent into barbarism! Again, what is the plan for security! A ruling political party is being prevented from campaigning in an election?” Soriwei wrote on his Facebook page

Penpushing reports that, the Balyesa State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said he was holding a meeting with the Police Commissioner and, therefore, could not speak on the incident as at the time of this report.