APC faction disagrees on killings of members in Bayelsa community unrest

The two factions of the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) are currently divided over alleged killings of its members by the security agencies during the bloody clash between Ammasoma community, Southern Ijaw Local Council and the security agents.

The faction loyal to the former governor, Timipre Sylva, claimed that five of its  members were shot dead during the violent clash between protesters and police on Tuesday.In a statement issued on earlier by the publicity Secetary, Doifie Ola claimed that five APC members were allegedly shot dead by policemen during the incident in Ammassoma. 

It stated that five of the people killed in the inciident were members of the party and gave their names  as Jacob Eyigha; Paul Orus; Godnolie Gagede; Joseph Kpoun, and Douglas Moses. 

But the factional Publicity Secretary, Christopher Abareowie, in a statement, yesterday, stated that though the Tuesday unrest was avoidable and unfortunate, the claim that APC members were killed was untrue and wrong. “The claim made on issue of casuality by one Doifie Ola is wrong. The claim is wrong as they are not members of the APC but Ammassoma people who came out in solidarity in support of their brother or sisters they felt were wrongly terminated.

He said”we also wish to correct the erroneous impression created by one Doifie Ola. He is not the elected state publicity Secetary of the APC. “Elder Abarowei also called on the State Governor,  Seriake Dickson to be Humane in his approach to the Ammassoma crises and take all steps to shift ground on the demand of the Ammassoma people who voted the PDP to power in 2015

The government should also address the issue of increase in school fees which is one of the key reasons of the ugly, unfortunate and unacceptable incidence which has led to loss of lives.

We call on the Ammassoma people to do all within their powers to jaw jaw with relevant authorities as lives lost cannot be revived hence dialogue should be the vehicle to ventilate their legitimate demand of being given recognition as the host community of the Niger Delta University. Finally, we call on stake holders like the Ijaw elders, INC, IYC, CLO and others to quickly intervene to stop the spread of this crisis that can lead to destruction of more loves and properties.”