A rally held in Yenagoa by NEW Associates, a group aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, descended into chaos as gunshots were fired, prompting a fierce exchange of blame between the Bayelsa State Government and the group.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The rally, convened to promote President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, took place at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene despite the Bayelsa government’s prior opposition, citing ongoing political tensions linked to the crisis in neighbouring Rivers State.

Governor Douye Diri had publicly opposed the rally, warning that it could aggravate the political crisis involving Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently faced suspension under a state of emergency declared by President Tinubu.

In the wake of the gunfire, Secretary of NEW Associates, Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the Bayelsa government of orchestrating the violence. Meanwhile, the state government condemned the shooting, calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an immediate investigation.

Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, issued a statement expressing deep concern over the violence, asserting that it validated the government’s earlier warnings about the rally’s risks.

The statement emphasized the need for law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

Originally set for April 12, the NEW Associates rally was postponed after rival political groups aligned with Governor Diri and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, scheduled competing rallies for the same venue and date. Both rival rallies were later moved to April 26, coinciding with the rescheduled NEW Associates gathering.

As security tightened around Tombia Roundabout, the alternative venue for the Diri and Tambuwal rallies, the events were eventually cancelled, while the NEW Associates event went ahead at Igbogene.

The Bayelsa government expressed alarm at the outbreak of violence, noting that the rally’s organisers had previously hinted at potential disruptions by remarking that “the good, the bad, and the ugly” would attend.

Authorities criticized the decision to hold a political event at a religious venue and argued that it violated the Electoral Act and Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines. They also warned religious bodies to steer clear of political activities and pledged sanctions for any violations.

In response, Ekerefe denounced the attacks in a statement titled “They Said the Rally Would Not Hold. Yet It Held.” He alleged that the Bayelsa government tried to undermine the rally by threatening to revoke certificates of occupancy for potential venues and by pressuring youth groups to boycott the event.

Despite these alleged efforts, Ekerefe praised the resilience of NEW Associates’ supporters and security personnel, claiming the rally was a success despite the disruptions.

He accused the government of fixating on attendance figures rather than recognising the significance of the rally’s execution, and hailed the event as a demonstration of the group’s unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ekerefe said, “Despite the threats, propaganda, and intimidation tactics, our members and supporters turned out en masse, defying the odds to ensure the rally’s success. They attempted to use violence to disrupt us, but they failed.”