Yesterday, chaos ensued in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as hired thugs disrupted a press briefing organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The invasion resulted in injuries to several journalists and party officials present at the event.
Among those injured were Mr. Tife Owolabi, the Chairman of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Bayelsa State, and Jacobson Park from People’s FM 93.1. The attackers wielded rods, causing Owolabi to bleed from his forehead and left hand, while also damaging chairs and other property in the venue.
As attendees fled in panic, the briefing was temporarily halted until security forces, including Operation Doo Akpo, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Police, arrived at Da Crib Hotel, where the event was taking place.
Following the arrival of security personnel, the briefing resumed. During this session, the Chairman of the APC Sagbama, Jonah Abeke, announced the indefinite suspension of seven party members for alleged anti-party activities. This decision aligns with ongoing suspensions within the party.
The suspended members include Peres Peretu, Matthew Karimo, Major Oputa, Tangi Samuel, King Bolouyi Sufadoh, Goodluck Ebomu, and Youdio-gwei Benjamin. Abeke stated, “In the 2023 National Assembly, Presidential, and gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa State, they openly worked for Governor Douye Diri and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They made no pretenses about their anti-party activities.”
He emphasized that the party leadership is committed to maintaining discipline and integrity among its members, thereby reinforcing the party’s stance against actions that undermine its objectives.