PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS STONED IN BAYELSA

Plans to disrupt the Congress for Progressive Change’s Presidential Rally in Bayelsa State failed, as loyalist of the party contained the unruly behavior of some hired thugs, who hauled bottles, stones and other missile on the former president, Muhammadu Buhari and his entourage from Abuja.

The campaign held at the popular Amarata football field was hijacked by the thugs, which led to injuries sustained by mostly women and few men before it was contained by the loyalist of the Congress for Progressive Change.

Though there was a heavy presence of the police at the rally, but they were unable to handle the situation until loyalist of the CPC governorship candidate, Famous Daunemighan marched the thugs and over power them to ensure the continuation of the programme.
The leader of the thugs was thoroughly beaten up before he was handed over to the police.

Unconfirmed sources averred that the planned attack to disrupt the rally by the thugs could be traced to some politicians in the state.
The CPC Presidential candidate, Buhari was unperturbed by the action of the thugs, but he and his entourage, as well as the governorship candidate were calm, as they sat at the extreme end of the campaign ground.

In his address, Buhari said he was impressed by the turn out of party supporters; and charged them to register when the Independent National Electoral Commission begins registration exercise in the country.

“Ensure your votes count. All our slogans towards positive change in the country would not materialize unless we do these things,” he said.

He said the CPC was aware of the problems of confronting the country and would bring a positive change, whereby security of all Nigerian would be enthrone to enable the citizenry pursue their legal business.

The former president who did not refer to the attack that had briefly disrupted the rally, said he would tackle indiscipline and corruption
Buhari averred that if voted as president, he would ensure that jobs are created for Nigerians, revamp the railway, airport and the shipping line operation, as well as evolve a scheme that would provide housing for the masses.

He, however, handed the party registration card to Daunemigha, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party and special adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on mobilization, to formally welcome him to the CPC.

Responding, Daunemigha averred that he and his supporters would not be scared or intimidated, as they have mapped out and inroad for the overall development and positive change that would promote human and physical growth and prosperity of the state.

Meanwhile, The Bayelsa Government has condemned the action carried out by the miscreant to that almost disrupt the rally, but for the intervention of the CPC loyalist, even as they regretted that the governor, being the chief security officer of the state should be in the know of the rally.

The statement reads: We condemn this act with every force at our command; we are at a loss as to why neither Buhari nor his managers thought it fit to inform the State Government of his campaign visit to Bayelsa. As a former Head of State, protocol demands that the State Government be in the know.

The government expressed displeasure that Governor Timipre Sylva was only informed about General Buhari’s visit only after the unfortunate incident at the rally ground.

“We consider this improper. Irrespective of differences in political party affiliation, the general and his party have to acknowledge the fact that there is a sitting governor in the state”.