It was yet another bloody day in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State
capital as more than five people were injured as supporters of the All
Progressives Congress [APC] and the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]
clashed in front of the state House of Assembly disrupting
activities in and around the assembly and the government house.
The clash which lasted for over thirty minutes was however cleared
by the Police who opened fire on the demonstrators .
Police bullet was said to have hit one Samuel Anosike who is the
Publicity Secretary of the PDP, who also doubles as the Chairman
Caretaker of Port Harcourt local government area. The bullet was
however said to have dropped from his body and hit another PDP member
who was said not to carry charm with him during the incident.
Rivers state commissioner of Police Francis Odesanya who confirmed
the story blamed Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike for the clash
He said, ‘two days ago the APC sought for permission from the
Police to stage a peaceful demonstration to the state house of
Assembly to protest why one of their own Hon Victoria Nyeche has not
been allowed to seat in the Assembly after she has been declared
winner of the election conducted ‘.
He said after the permission had been granted he learnt later that the
governor planned a courtesy visit with some PDP members on the Speaker
of the state house of Assembly the same day and time and was told
that the APC had already been granted permission to go to the
Assembly to carry out a protest.
He said the governor ignored him insisting that he does not need the
permission of anybody to visit the Speaker of the state House of
Assembly.
So both the APC and the PDP supporters stormed the Assembly at the
same time and the Police had no option than to clear the place to
maintain law and order as is constitutionally provided.
The commissioner denied that the Police opened fire on anybody and
that no one was injured.
