Nigeria: Seven Feared Dead As PDP, LP Supporters Clash in Bayelsa

This Day

30 March 2011

Nigeria: Seven Feared Dead As PDP, LP Supporters Clash in Bayelsa

Yenagoa — Seven persons were feared dead following clashes between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and rival Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa State on Monday. The clash took place in Nembe, the home town of Governor Timipre Sylva.

The clash came four days to the Senatorial and House of Representatives elections scheduled for Saturday.

THISDAY gathered that the clash took place in the stronghold of a member of the state House of Assembly who is seeking re-election to the Assembly.

Because of the close relationship between the PDP and LP candidates and the fact that both command a strong following among the youths, elders of the area were said to have intervened in what could lead to a fractionalisation of the community.

At a meeting called by the elders, the LP candidate, Mr. Kingsley Bokolo, was asked to step down for his PDP counterpart, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite. But Bokolo refused.

The situation soon led to a shouting match that later degenerated into a clash between supporters of both candidates.