The Bayelsa State Government and NEW Associates, a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have traded accusations over gunshots that marred a rally organised by the group to push for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The rally, which took place on Saturday at the Church of God Mission Camp Ground in Igbogene, Yenagoa, occurred despite a previous warning from the state government against such an event.

Governor Douye Diri had stated that the state would not permit the rally, given the ongoing political crisis in neighbouring Rivers State involving Wike and his political godson, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was recently suspended following President Tinubu?s declaration of a state of emergency.

Following the gunshots, Secretary of NEW Associates, Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the Bayelsa State Government of orchestrating the attack while addressing supporters at the rally.

In response, the state government condemned the shooting and called for an investigation by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the government expressed its dismay over the incident, stressing that it confirmed the validity of its earlier warning against the rally.

The government also urged the police to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The controversial rally, convened by Wike?s ally, George Turnah, was originally scheduled for April 12 but it was postponed due to competing rallies from groups loyal to Governor Diri and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, which were also planned for the same date and venue.

These rival groups, in turn, rescheduled their rallies to April 26, the new date for the NEW Associates event.

As the NEW Associates rally took place in Igbogene, security was heightened at the Tombia Roundabout, the proposed venue for the Diri and Tambuwal groups? rallies, which were ultimately not held.

The Bayelsa State Government expressed concern over the violence at the rally, pointing out that organisers had previously made threatening remarks, including that ?the good, the bad, and the ugly? would attend.

The government questioned why a rally that was supposed to be peaceful descended into violence, with reports of injuries.

It called on the police to launch an immediate investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting.

In addition, the government argued that the rally violated the Electoral Act and guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, noting that it was held at a religious site.

It warned political groups not to involve religious organisations in partisan activities, urging that such actions desecrate sacred spaces.

The government also pledged to sanction any religious institution found violating the law.

Despite the government?s condemnation, Ekerefe denounced the shooting in a statement titled ?They Said the Rally Would Not Hold. Yet It Held.?

In his statement, Ekerefe accused the state government of attempting to prevent the rally by threatening to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of any venue that hosted the event.

He also claimed that efforts to dissuade attendees and organize counter-rallies had failed.

Ekerefe expressed defiance, stating that despite the odds, the rally proceeded successfully, thanks to the resilience of NEW Associates? supporters and security personnel.

He praised the bravery of the security forces for containing the armed assailants and allowing the event to go on as planned

He criticised the state government for focusing on attendance figures, arguing that the success of the rally lay in its execution, regardless of the crowd size.

Ekerefe also emphasised that the rally was a demonstration of the growing strength of the NEW Associates and its commitment to supporting President Tinubu?s Renewed Hope Agenda.

?They threatened to also organizs counter rallies to sabotage that of the New Associates, yet the noisemakers couldn?t. They tried to deny us venues and threatened to revoke CofOs of anybody who would give us their facilities to organise our rally, but we finally got somewhere in a remote environment in the outskirts of Yenagoa to organise our rally. They used propaganda to demoralise people from coming to the rally, they held meetings with various youth leaders and groups that they abandoned before now to dissuade them from attending our rally and spent so much resources in doing so. But just like the Israelites, the ardent NEW associates members and their teaming supporters defied all the odds and congregated massively in the adventurous venue to participate in the rally. They came as expected to shoot at us to create panic and pandemonium for the rally not to take place, but they failed woefully.? (PUNCH)

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