The planned tour by the Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, of Rumueprikom community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, home of Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, was yesterday aborted as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed.
At the end of the fracas, which broke out early yesterday at the Wimpey Junction, Ikwerre Road, section of the community, no fewer than eight people were reportedly wounded.
It was gathered that Amaechi was scheduled to visit Rumuprikom yesterday in continuation of his meet-the-people tour of the 23 local government areas in the state which began on July 15.
Sources said youths had gathered at the Wimpey junction playing drums in anticipation of Amaechi’s visit to the area when shots rang out of the Traditional Ruler single-barrel gun.
However, while some people said it was a clash between members of the APC and PDP over the governor’s visit, other said the HRH had fixed a traditional festival which usually held on August 13 every year to coincide with Amaechi’ visit to give the impression that a large crowd turned out to receive the governor.
The sporadic shooting from the palace of the traditional ruler caused pandemonium with the people around scampering for safety.
Clement, who was said to have seven bullets buried in his body reportedly said, at the hospital where he was taken for treatment, that, “We had a family meeting. We saw the APC group; they damaged my brother’s (Evidence) car and my father shot me because I didn’t join APC. I don’t know if it is by force that I join a political party of his choice.
“My father shot me because I refused to join the APC. My father is angry that I and my brothers have refused join the APC. We have told him repeatedly that we have the right to join the party of our choice.”
Irate youths that attempted to storm the Traditional Ruler's residence were prevailed upon by a reinforcement of policemen that arrived at the scene to prevent the youths from attacking the Eze's Palace and destroying property.
The Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, who confirmed the incident, affirmed that the Monarch shot his son and six people.
He said: “Chief Anthony O. was arrested after he shot six people and his son. He was arrested along with four others whose identities are yet to be confirmed. The chief has volunteered useful information to the police and we have successfully recovered a single-barrel gun with expended cartridges, pellets and live ammunition from the aforementioned chief.”
Ogunsakin who disclosed that the case has been transferred to the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for further investigation “issued a stern warning to political jobbers who engage in campaigns and political meetings aimed at wreaking havoc on the populace of the state to desist forthwith.”
The commissioner of police further warned: “The Rivers State Police Command is using this medium to sound a note of warning to various groups, public office holders, and corporate organisations to desist from carrying out activities that will disrupt the peace and tranquility enjoyed in the state.”
Reacting to the incident, Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha, accused Wike of “sponsoring political thugs and militants to disrupt Amaechi’s visit to Rumuprikom in continuation of his local government tour.”
According to Okocha, “We were informed yesterday that political thugs were planning to disrupt the governor’s visit to Rumuprikom, so the governor called the commissioner of police and informed him of the security report. The commissioner then assured the governor that he will send more men to Rumuprikom before the arrival of the governor.
“But unknown to our political adversaries, the governor had called off the scheduled visit because of the sudden death of the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Port Harcourt local government council, Charles Boms, who died this morning (yesterday).”
Also reacting on the incident, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, also condemned the incident and expressed regret that politicians who recruit political thugs to kill and maim their opponents “don’t bring out their children to join in street fights or perpetuate violence.
“The PDP should work towards getting supporters rather than hiring hoodlums and miscreants to disrupt the governor’s tour of local governments in the state. The PDP should try and rise above politics of violence and destruction of property,” she advised.
It was also gathered that,At the end of the fracas, two sons of the traditional ruler and five others were lying critically ill in the hospital.
It was gathered that the first son, Ndidi, allegedly shot by the monarch, had seven bullets in his body. The second son, Endurance, whose Toyota Camry car was destroyed, had a machete cut on his head. The palace of the monarch was also torched by angry youths.
When NijaTV Germany Port Harcourt correspondent visited the scene, no fewer than twenty police vehicles with armed anti-riot policemen, were positioned at strategic places.
At the centre of the crisis were the allegedly dethroned traditional ruler of the community and staunch supporter of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, and members of the community.
It was alleged that the violence was orchestrated by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But one of the community youths, simply identified as Melchizedek, who spoke with NijaTV Germany,ruled out any political undertone in the mayhem.
He alleged that the reportedly dethroned monarch had imported some hoodlums to disrupt their annual cultural festival, billed to hold yesterday in the state capital.
Incidentally, according to the source, the monarch, who still regards himself as the authentic king of the community, fixed a town hall meeting, where Governor Amaechi would be the guest of honour.
Melchizedek said: “The community does not recognise him as a traditional ruler and we wonder why anybody would fix another programme within the period of the festival.
“Meanwhile, the canopies we put here the previous night, for the festival were destroyed. And these ones were fixed this morning.”
It was gathered that the first son, Ndidi, allegedly shot by the monarch, had seven bullets in his body. The second son, Endurance, whose Toyota Camry car was destroyed, had a machete cut on his head. The palace of the monarch was also torched by angry youths.
When NijaTV Germany Port Harcourt correspondent visited the scene, no fewer than twenty police vehicles with armed anti-riot policemen, were positioned at strategic places.
At the centre of the crisis were the allegedly dethroned traditional ruler of the community and staunch supporter of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, and members of the community.
It was alleged that the violence was orchestrated by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But one of the community youths, simply identified as Melchizedek, who spoke with NijaTV Germany,ruled out any political undertone in the mayhem.
He alleged that the reportedly dethroned monarch had imported some hoodlums to disrupt their annual cultural festival, billed to hold yesterday in the state capital.
Incidentally, according to the source, the monarch, who still regards himself as the authentic king of the community, fixed a town hall meeting, where Governor Amaechi would be the guest of honour.
Melchizedek said: “The community does not recognise him as a traditional ruler and we wonder why anybody would fix another programme within the period of the festival.
“Meanwhile, the canopies we put here the previous night, for the festival were destroyed. And these ones were fixed this morning.”
Story By:
Ketekete Stormy
South South Correspondent
NijaTV Germany
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