By Rufous Eberechi
Port Harcourt – The political turmoil in Rivers state ahead of the March 2015 general elections took a bloody twist on Saturday as four persons were killed following a clash between supporters of the two leading political parties in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Among the dead, eye witnesses say were three civilians believed to be party members and a police man who had been deployed among others on guard duty.
Trouble, the eye witnesses said started when hoodlums allegedly sponsored by rival PDP attacked a gathering of some APC members at the Winpey area of Rumeme in the Obio/Akpo Local government area of Rivers State distrupting the meeting.
The Invaders were said to have fired gunshots sporadically into the air,causing panic and fear with participants and residents scamparing to safety, a situation that forced the policemen on ground to return fire leading to the fatalities.
The latest attack is coming few days after the PDP secretariat was torched by unknown arsonists suspected to be members of rival APC as this is perceived as a reprisal by PDP youths.
Recall that in August this year, business and commercial activities were distrupted in the Port Harcourt metropolis following clashes between APC and PDP supporters ahead of the planned visit of Governor Amaechi to Obio/Akpor LGA, a stronghold of his arch rival Nyeson Wike, a PDP governorship hopeful.
Meanwhile, the Rivers state Police command said it has commenced investigation into the killing, vowing to bring the culprits to book.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer,Ahmad Muhammad the force has intensified efforts to get the APC Area Campaign Coordinator, Lawrence Echeonwu and convener of the political gathering to state all he knows about the fracas.#
