Security agents take over Bayelsa APC secretariat

• As NWC suspends Chairman

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

 

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress(APC), Bayelsa State, assumed another dimension yesterday as armed security personnel made up of policemen and men of the Department of State Security (DSS) took over the state secretariat following the suspension of the Chairman of the party, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, his deputy, Eddy Julius and Martin Danlin.

The party leadership sanctioned the deployment of armed security personnel to the secretariat over reports that armed militants were planning to invade the office over the suspension of the trio.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC had, following several petitions of alleged anti-party activities against the three officers, announced their suspension.

When Saturday Sun got to the party secretariat, on Mbiama/Yenagoa road, the State capital, armed policemen and DSS personnel numbering over 15 were seen. Some members of the executive led by the acting Chairman, Joseph Fafi, the youth leader, Comrade Edison Sogwe and the acting Secretary, Alabo Martins‎ were in a meeting.

Investigations revealed that they were still locked in a meeting when ex-militant leader and loyalist of the suspended Chairman, Africa Ukpariasia also known as General Africa, stormed the secretariat with militants.

General Africa, who arrived at the barricaded party secretariat at 12.45pm was prevented from driving into the premises in his black coloured jeep. Africa, who was angry, threatened to chase the Sylva loyalists out of the secretariat, ‎saying “we will know who owns the party.”

The Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba and the State Director of DSS, Mr. Segun Agbaje‎ were also sighted at the party secretariat where they held a meeting  with the Secretary of the party.

Alabo Martins said they were at the secretariat to ascertain that the area  was calm and that there is no breach of peace and break down of law and order.

A member of the House of Assembly elected on the platform of the APC, Hon. Isreal Sunny Igoli, who arrived at the party secretariat also met members of the security team and addressed the party supporters.

He pleaded with members to remain calm and not allow the supporters of the suspended members to throw the party into crisis.

“The party has concluded the non-elective congress and the process is at the appeal stage. And the key stakeholders have met and affirmed the authenticity of the decision of the party at the state level. ‎Now, everybody should go home and allow security agents to be here. Nobody should come to the secretariat until the National Working Committee issue a letter to whoever is going to act until a new congress is held to elect a substantive Chairman.‎ Everybody should go home and let us not make the secretariat a crisis venue. As they have pronounced the suspension of the Chairman and others, the letter from NWC will make whoever to take charge and the person will give copy of the letter to the security agents.”

from The Sun News http://ift.tt/2wfLObD
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