Former Bayelsa House of Assembly Chief Whip, Commissioner of Information and Strategy and Education Dr. Jonathan Obuebite, has condemned as “undemocratic“ barbaric and “provocative” the Thursday attack by APC thugs on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Nembe, Bayelsa state.
The incident where two chieftains of the PDP, identified as Timi Biriyai Macdonald and Diepreye Akirisa were, on Thursday night, brutally attacked by APC thugs. One of the victims, Timi Biriyai Macdonald, was later confirmed dead on Thursday night.
Other members of the PDP were also chased out of their homes with threats to their lives and properties.
Dr. Jonathan Obuebite, who is a chieftain of the PDP and leader of the wind political group, in a statement, described the unprovoked attack as another testimony to the failed strategy by the opposition and called on the security agencies to move into Nembe and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted so as to deter others from acts capable of threatening the achievement of peaceful election come November 11.
Obuebite called on members of the PDP in Nembe to remain resolute and not be dettered by the undemocratic attitude of the opposition, urging them to come out enmasse to vote the party and the state governor, Senator Douye Diri.
He recalled that despite the threath of violence by the opposition party, the APC, the people of Nembe will come out emasse to vote for the PDP and defend their votes and will not be intimidated and detered by the violence but focus on ensuring the second term and continued development in Nembe kingdom.
He also sympathized with Mr. Biriyai Macdonald, the deceased father, the Egebe chieftaincy house, and the PDP family and called on the Nigerian police and other security agencies to ensure justice is served.
Obuebite said though the members of the rulling PDP in the state are tolerant and patient, ” the opposition should not take for granted their patience and adherence to the provision of the Nigerian constitution as they will continually speak up for the world to know. Let this act of violence by the opposition be placed on record by the relevant authorities and the INEC.”
He condemned the situation where those who killed the innocent Timi will also go and take away the corps of the deceased and nothing is being done and asked the the persons involved be declared wanted and demand for the immediate release or recovery of the young man’s corps.
He noted that Nembe should not be the theatre of violence and blood letting whenever the circle of election comes, saying those that are being killed are from Nembe.
Hon. Obuebite called for calm among supporters of the PDP in the area.” Saying, Sen. Douye Diri will be reelected, and it will all end in praise.