Bayelsa State Police Command Saturday stopped a pro-Jonathan rally in Yenagoa, organised by a group, the New Dawn Initiative for Development to mobilise people to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare for 2015 presidential election.
The National Chairman and Secretary of the group, Olalekan Bello and Michael Agbo Baro respectively, had invited political leaders in the State including Governor Seriake Dickson, as part of the series of activities targeted at mobilising the grassroots ahead of the presidential declaration.
However, the rally was aborted as armed policemen stormed Opolo primary and secondary school, the venue of the rally with Armoured Personnel Carrier and ordered members of the group who had gathered to leave.
This development infuriated the organisers who insisted they sent invitation that was duly acknowledged to the state Governor Seriake Dickson.
They therefore, alleged that the stoppage was politically motivated. Preye Ebiade, a member of the group described the action of the police as provocative, alleging that the State Government was behind it.
Ebiade, also insisted that the State Police Commissioner was duly informed about the rally, wondering, “how come he turned around to stop our rally.
“This action is politically motivated. The Jonathan’s re-election should be a collected project and one person should not abort that dream on his own selfish alter for second term in Bayelsa”
Prompt News gathered that the State Government had information that the rally was meant to also endorse the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Waripamowei Dudafagh, who is said to be nursing governorship ambition.
The State Commissioner of Police, Hillary Okpara, however denied that it granted permit to the organisers, New Dawn, requesting them to produce such if it exists.
Okpara claimed that the rally was stopped to avert clash as they had information that a rival group was planning to disrupt it.
He said, “I challenge them to produce the Police permit. The rally was stopped due to the intelligence report gathered that a rival political group is planning to attack them.”
“To avert bloodshed, I summoned the members of the New Dawn and asked them to pick a new date for the rally”.
According to the Police boss, he had informed thus, “This is to inform the General Public that the Bayelsa state Police command has directed the members of the group known as New Dawn Initiative Development to reschedule their rally billed to take place at Opolo Secondary School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State today 19/04/2014 at 1pm.”
“This was premised on the available intelligence to the command that a rival group had perfected plans to attack and disrupt the rally which could lead to breach of peace, coupled with the fact that the Police did observe the actual gathering of the mob at the venue.”
“Finally, the Police Command hereby uses this medium to advise the good people of Bayelsa state and in particular political groups to always make efforts to settle their internal differences before requesting for Police permits for rallies.”
