Police fire gas at APC primary

Police officers used tear gas to disperse political thugs causing trouble at the Samson Siasia sports complex, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, the venue of the All Progressives Congress governorship primary, Tuesday.

The prompt intervention of officers deployed to the venue of the primary forestalled violence as supporters of rival aspirants tried to block delegates from rival camps from gaining access to the venue.

The development compelled the governor of Edo State and the chairman of the seven-member Bayelsa Primaries Committee, Adams Oshiomhole, to summon an emergency meeting with the 19 aspirants jostling for the APC ticket in the December 5 governorship poll in Bayelsa.

The attacks by the thugs left some people injured. The injured were taken to the nearby Federal Medical Centre for treatment.

Meanwhile, some delegates were allegedly arrested for being in possession of cloned Permanent Voters Cards, one of the approved means of identification.

Timi Alaibe, one of the front runners in the poll, called for a change of venue to allow the delegates who were arrested to participate in the primaries.

He further alleged that delegates loyal to him were systematically denied access to the venue.