Benue Guber Campaigns: Apc, Pdp Trade Accusations Over Violence In Gbajimba

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue state has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of disrupting their governorship campaign rally on Friday, in Gbajimba, Guma LGA of Benue State.

But the
PDP has rather stated that the Gbajimba violence was carried out by the
APC and led by two of their members who violently assaulted PDP
supporters and burnt down campaign materials belonging to the incumbent
Governor, Samuel Ortom.

Ortom has also insisted that he is innocent and did not send any person to disrupt or stop the APC rally.

Gbajimba is the village and home town of the incumbent governor Samuel Ortom.

Briefing
Journalists in Makurdi, Secretary Emmanuel Jime campaign Organization,
Professor Eugene Aliegba said trouble started when suspected political
thugs allegedly loyal to the PDP, disrupted their governorship campaign
rally in Gbajimba.

He said the campaign team had gone there in
continuation of its governorship rally and while addressing the people
at a particular venue, armed youths stormed the venue and started
throwing stones at them.

He explained that security men were
called in to disperse them only for them to regroup and come back again
throwing stones and shooting sporadically with AK47 injuring several
people who ran in different direction for safety.

Prof. Aliegba
further explained that before their movement to Gbajimba, Guma LGA, they
had it on good authority that Gov. Ortom had already mobilized PDP
members not to allow APC hold any rally in the area.

According to him, the organisation decided to put the rally on hold and informed security agents.

A
chieftain of the APC and one time Head of Service in the state, Mike
Iordye also said the PDP chairman of Nzorov Council ward was
specifically instructed not to allow APC hold any rally in the area and
so, he mobilized thugs to disrupt the rally.

“As early as 6am on
Friday, PDP thugs gathered around the roundabout on Garibaldi wanting to
stop the rally. One APC and PDP supporter was arrested following a
fight that ensued between them.