There were some moments of apprehension when gunmen invaded the venue of a rally organised by loyalists of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), in Bayelsa state.
Some minutes after the rally started at Igbogene in Yenagoa on Saturday, gunshots suddenly echoed in the air.
Attendees began to scamper for safety following the sounds of gunshots said to have been fired from a nearby bush close to the venue of the rally.
After the sounds subsided, the attendees returned to the venue as the organisers insisted on continuing the rally.
The organisers went ahead with the rally after the shooting incident.
PDP chieftains in Bayelsa and other states in the south-south zone, who are loyal to the FCT minister, attended the rally.
The rally is being organised by New Associates, a pro-Wike political group. The convener is George Turnah, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The rally is “in solidarity and appreciation of President Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike for facilitation and appointment of notable sons and daughters of Bayelsa into positions of authority”.
The build-up to the rally elicited varied reactions as Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa, had insisted that the event was likely to trigger violence in the state.
However, Wike’s supporters dismissed the governor’s comment and vowed to go ahead with the rally — initially scheduled for April 11 at Tombia roundabout open field in Yenagoa.
On April 3, the high court in Yenagoa restrained Wike’s supporters from holding the rally in the state.
The order was made following an ex parte application filed by Biriyai Dambo, Bayelsa attorney-general.
To counter the move of Wike’s supporters, supporters of Diri had organised a separate rally at the same location and on the same day.
Due to the development, Wike’s supporters postponed their planned rally to April 26 to avoid potential clashes.
