Tension Mounts in Bayelsa Over Attack on Activist

Tension Mounts in Bayelsa Over Attack on Activist by Lawmaker

There is an uneasy calm in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, following an alleged act of repression on the Founding Director of the Ijaw Council for Human Rights, Patterson Ogon, on Wednesday.

Ogon, who was also a manager with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is mobilising for support to the state House of Assembly in next year's polls.

But his aspiration for the Yenagoa Constituency 1 seat does not seem to be going down well with some political forces in the area who are said to be jittery. The palpable political cold war in the constituency however, blew into the open in the early hours of Wednesday November 10, 2010.

Operatives of Operation Fam Tangbei (OFT), a special security outfit coupled together by the Timipre Sylva administration, allegedly effected mass arrest of perceived political opponents of Alfred Egba, the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly.

Ogon in an e-mail to AkanimoReports on Thursday said, ''this is a follow up to an earlier attack on my supporters at the premises of Radio Bayelsa on September 13, 2010 wherein several persons were wounded and properties destroyed''.

AkanimoReports gatherec that Alfred Egba’s return bid to the House of Assembly in the 2011 has drawn wide condemnation and opposition following his llleged a''lck-lustre performance, arrogance, bench warming character and frequent travels broad for an academic degree''.

Among those allegedly arrested and thrown into detention are Ovie Omeleh, the Paramount ruler of Yenakah community and Loveday Bunas. Those said to be on the wanted list by the police in the area are Patterson Ogon, the activist who is aspiring for Yenagoa Constituency 1 seat in the House of Assembly; Bedford Akahkoli; a pastor, Courtesy Odumgba; an elder, Giame Emmanuel; a chief, Genesis Kenigbolo; and Progress Alex etc.

Continuing, Ogon said, ''while we recognize that the police have a duty to maintain law and order, we condemn the use of the police as a terror machine and an instrument for hounding people who have an inalienable right to seek elective position and engage in legal activities.

''I wish to put on notice that my life and that of my family members as well as my supporters are at great risk because of the activities of Alfred Egba and call on the security authorities, civil society groups and men of good conscience to note that should anything happen to me or my family, Alfred Egba should be held responsible.

''I appeal to my supporters to remain law abiding and go about their lawful activities while we seek peaceful means to find a lasting solution to the smouldering political crisis''.

ENDS

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