The New Generation Leaders of Bayelsa State, a pro-democracy organization, has strongly denounced the reported persistent assaults on prominent figures and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State.
In a statement released by the National Coordinator, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, the group expressed serious concern about the attacks on supporters of Chief Timipre Sylva, the APC’s gubernatorial candidate. Kemepadei characterized these attacks as an illogical and heartless approach employed by the ruling party in the state. Rather than seeking votes from the public, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has resorted to physically assaulting and mistreating law-abiding APC supporters.
The statement emphasizes, “As supporters of the APC in Bayelsa State, we wholeheartedly condemn the reports of sponsored political thugs dressed in full military uniforms who recently attempted to invade Sylva’s Local Government Area. There have also been incidents of harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks on dedicated members of the APC, which may drive some of us to defend ourselves if the President does not intervene. These actions are highly condemnable and represent a grave assault on democracy. Because of our unwavering support for President Tinubu, we are now being pursued like prey.”
The group called upon the President, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and other security agencies to take prompt action and bring those responsible for these malicious acts to justice before the situation escalates further.
“As a group, we are closely monitoring the attacks on APC members, and we believe it is linked to the party’s increasing popularity and growing support in the state. The President should step in by instructing the security agencies to remain vigilant in the face of ongoing attacks on party members,” the statement concluded.