By Wisdom Nwedene
Hoodlums suspected to be loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike have attacked 9News Nigeria Reporters covering the election in Rivers State.
Our correspondent, Emmanuel Atseyinku and his driver were brutally attacked around 1:30pm and their Camera demaged by the thugs said to be loyal to Wike while covering the ongoing Rivers State Local Government Election.
Speaking with 9News Nigeria South East Editor, Wisdom Nwedene on phone, Mr Atseyinku said the thugs attacked them just few poles from Igwuruta Divisional Police Station in Igwuruta Ikwerre Local Government area of Rivers State.
According to him, “we are running for our safety right now. They just attacked us with our Camera completely damaged and some of our gadgets stolen by them”.
“We need help please because our lives are no longer secured”, he said as his phone switched off immediately and couldn’t be reached again.
Efforts by 9News Nigeria to speak with Rivers Police Command proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, 9News Nigeria had reported that there is growing tension in Rivers State as suspected Loyalists of Wike, took to the streets to protest Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s decision to proceed with the local government elections in Rivers State, defying a Federal High Court judgment that cancelled the polls.
According to 9News Nigeria correspondent in Rivers State, the protesters comprised chieftains and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They demanded that Governor Fubara obey the court’s decision, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the electoral process.
In a similar move, hundreds of All Progressives Congress (APC) members gathered at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt, preparing to embark on a protest of their own.
It should be noted that the police on Friday announced its decision not to partake in the election.
Meanwhile, voting has commenced in Unit 11 Ward 12 Ubimini in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Also Amb Ihunwo Chijioke, the APP candidate for Obio/Akpor LGA, has casted his vote in unit 40, Rumunduru, Obio/Akpor LGA.
