By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Former chief whip of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and commissioner of Information and Strategy and Education, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite, has condemned as “undemocratic, barbaric and provocative” Thursday’s attack by alleged “thugs” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nembe City.
Two chieftains of the PDP, identified as Timi Biriyai Macdonald and Diepreye Akirisa, were on Thursday night brutally attacked by alleged APC thugs. One of the victims, Timi Biriyai Macdonald, was later confirmed dead on Thursday night.
Other members of the PDP were also allegedly chased out of their homes with threats to their lives and properties.
Dr. Obuebite, who is a cheiftain of the PDP and leader of the Wind political group, in a statement issued on Friday described the attack as “another testimony to the failed strategy by the opposition,” and called on the security agencies to move into Nembe and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted so as to deter others from acts capable of threatening the achievement of peaceful election come November 11.
Obuebite called on member of the PDP in Nembe to remain resolute and not be dettered by the undemocratic attitude of the opposition, urging them to come out emase to vote the party and the state governor, Senator Douye Diri.
He recalled that despite the alleged threath of violence by the opposition party, the APC, the people of Nembe will come out emasse to vote for the PDP and defend their vote and will not be intimidated and dettered by the violence but focus on ensuring the second term and continued development in Nembe kingdom.
He also sympathized with Mr. Biriyai Macdonald, the deceased’s father, the Egebe Chieftaincy House, and the PDP family, and called on the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to ensure justice is served
Obuebite said though the members of the rulling PDP in the state are tolerative and patient, “the opposition should not take for granted their patience and adherance to the provision of the Nigerian Constitution as the will continually speak up for the world to know. Let this act of violence by the opposition be placed on record by the relevant authorities and the INEC.”
He condemned the situation where those who killed the innocent Timi will also go and take away the corps of the deceased and nothing is being done and asked the the persons involved be decleared wanted and demand for the immediate release or recovery of the young man’s corpse.
Nembe should not be the theatre of violence and blood letting whenever the circle of election comes, he said, adding that those that are being killed are from Nembe.
Hon. Obuebite called for calm among supporters of the PDP in the area, adding that “Sen. Douye Diri will be reelected, and it will all end in praise.”
