TheNewsGuru

Tag: POLITICAL THUGS

  • Suspected thugs disrupt NWC meeting at PDP HQ, security operatives take action

    Suspected thugs disrupt NWC meeting at PDP HQ, security operatives take action

    Security operatives in Abuja on Wednesday dispersed suspected political thugs attempting to cause crisis at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters, as the party National Working Committee (NWC) met.

    A staff member of the PDP national secretariat who pleaded anonymity said that the suspected thugs were led by Emmanuel Okoronkwo, an aide to Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, who was ousted by the court as PDP national secretary.

    He said that the thugs came with the mission to block the NWC members from accessing the party headquarters for their meeting.

    He added that it took the intervention of some personnel of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service, and Nigeria Civil Defense Corps to dispel the thugs who were harassing the party staff members.

    The PDP have been engulf with crisis as Anyanwu, and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye both claiming the position of PDP National Secretary.

    While the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld Ude-Okoye as PDP National Secretary, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgment on the matter.

    According to the PDP members “the party staff, with the support of security personnel, confronted the thugs and dispersed them.

    “The leader of the thug Okoronkwo was arrested and the other thugs were cleared from the PDP premises,” the source said.

    Emmanuel was earlier featured in a video clip circulating online threatening that whoever did not have his party ID card or has not business to be at the party secretariat should not come around the Wadata House.

    “If they are tired of the party, they can go to SDP, but any body coming here to cause problems where there is a case in the court, should prepare from his house before coming.

    “Already I am ready, I am here with the men, everybody is here. If they are one billion let them come.

    “If you are coming here without party ID card, you will not enter. If you don’t have business here nobody will enter.

    Meanwhile, the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, chaired the party NWC meeting, with Ude-Okoye attending as the National Secretary..

    Security personnel including Police, DSS, and Civil Defense and there vans were seen stationed inside and around the Wadata Plaza.

  • Edo govt raises alarm over political thugs attempt to overrun INEC offices

    Edo govt raises alarm over political thugs attempt to overrun INEC offices

    Edo Government on Friday expressed concerns over an alleged attempt by political thugs to overrun INEC offices in some local government areas across the state.

    The government also commended the military for successfully halting the activities of the suspected thugs on INEC office in Oredo Local Government, located in the state capital.

    Chris Nehikhare, the Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, raised the alarm at a news conference in Benin.

    According to Nehikhare, the political thugs also attempted to seize control of INEC offices in Etsako West, and Esan West.

    He said that although the soldiers repelled the thugs at the Oredo INEC office, the group retreated and held sway across the road from the facility.

    Nehikhare praised the military for their professionalism and discipline in preventing the invasion, urging them to extend similar interventions to the remaining 17 LGAs in the state.

    He stated that Edo people would not be intimidated or deterred by the actions of political thugs, and encouraged citizens to come out en masse to exercise their right to vote.

    Nehikhare added that the military had regained control of the Oredo INEC Secretariat and was actively safeguarding both the people and INEC facilities throughout the state.

  • Guber Polls: PDP deputy candidate, Akinlade laments attacks by thugs in Ogun

    Guber Polls: PDP deputy candidate, Akinlade laments attacks by thugs in Ogun

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deputy governorship candidate ,Adekunle Akinlade,  raised anThe Ogun born politician  alarm over the invasion of polling units by armed thugs.

    The Ogun born politician  made this comment  at his hometown in Agosasa shortly  after casting his vote.

    According to him, there have been reports of shooting and ballot box snatching in some polling units in Ogun East.

    Akinlade expressed displeasure that security agents who were supposed to avert the situation did nothing, giving the thugs a field day.

    “It’s unfortunate, my phones have been ringing since morning. I have seen photos and videos. We were informed that members of the opposition party have become very violent. There is someone called Efele or something who has been carrying thugs all around. They went straight into polling units to attack people. They shot in the air, carted away ballot papers and other INEC materials.

    “Shockingly, we were told that there are security personnel just standing and watching this happen. It’s quite sad for our democracy that this is happening in Ogun East. We thought Ogun East was supposed to be more peaceful being the home of the sitting governor. It is most embarrassing for us in Ogun State, what we are witnessing in this election,” he said.

    Akinlade appealed to the electoral umpire and security agents to take note of the electoral violence and take appropriate actions thereafter.

    The deputy governorship candidate said he is sure of victory in the polls.

    “We have no doubt we are going to win this election. The election has been peaceful in Ogun West and Ogun Central. In Ogun East, aside from Sagamu, Odogbolu and Ijebu-Ode where they’ve been attacking people. We don’t know what they could do moving beyond that.

    “Relatively, we believe we are doing well with information trickling in so far. By 4, 5 pm we will be more certain. We hope that results are transmitted from polling units as INEC has promised.

    “We are confident, that is why we came all out to campaign very well. We believe people’s votes will count once results are transmitted from the polling units with the BVAS. We have no doubt that we will win this election,” he stated.

  • Analysis: How Nigerians defied several obstacles to vote

    Analysis: How Nigerians defied several obstacles to vote

    Nigerians on Saturday displayed sheer patriotism and courage as they defied several obstacles to choose their next president and representatives at the National Assembly.

    In more than 60 per cent of polling units across the country, election officials and materials came late, but citizens remained resolutely patient and ensured that they contributed to the history of electing the president of their choice.

    Accreditation and voting in some polling units commenced after the official closing time of 2:30pm and continued late into the night without adequate provision of power. Phone torchlights and car headlamps became the alternative source of power in these polling units.

    There was also a heavy downpour of rain in some places like Delta and Edo states, but it could not stop the exercise from holding. Photos and videos emerged showing Nigerians maintaining queues under the rain, with or without umbrellas to insist on their right to vote.

    Political thugs also reportedly invaded some polling units to disrupt the voting process. Ballot boxes were destroyed, others carted away and some BVAS machines were seized.

    A young lady identified as Efidi Jennifer, has been hailed as a hero after she returned with a plastered face and blood-stained shirt to cast her vote following an attack by hoodlums at her polling unit in Surulere, Lagos which left her with injuries close to the eye.

    Voters in some parts of Lagos state also faced intimidation and ethnic discrimination from political thugs who prevented non-indigenes of the state and non-supporters of the All Progressives Party (APC) from voting.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), postponed elections in 141 polling units in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State where voting was also disrupted, after ad-hoc staff expressed apprehension about going back to conduct the election.

    Counting and collation of election results are expected to continue for a couple of days before a winner is announced.

  •  Intimidation, violence mar election in Lagos state

     Intimidation, violence mar election in Lagos state

    There have been reports of voter intimidation and ethnic discrimination in some Polling Units across Lagos state by some persons supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the presence of security officials.

    Voting has largely been peaceful in the state but some videos have emerged showing pro-APC supporters insisting on the party or tribe that can be allowed to vote.

    In one of the videos seen by this newspaper, the head of the Lagos state branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, could be heard threatening to resist any Igbo who attempted to vote.

    “Any Igbo wen dem born well, make e come vote again; me I dey here,” Mc Oluomo said as a police officer standing by tapped him on the back as if trying to appease him as voters stood watching to see what would happen.

    A second video captured a man clearly telling voters they would only be allowed to vote for the APC party.

    “If you no fit vote APC for here, go your house. Nobody force you come here. I go come check am. If I see you vote another party, you go enter one chance. We no come joke for here,” the unidentified man yelled.

    Political thugs supporting the ruling party also disrupted voting at Oba Yekini, Elegushi street; Ikate, Lekki; Akinyele street in Aguda, Surulere and Fadeyi areas of Lagos state, scattering ballot boxes and interfering with the election process, in the presence of security men.

    “I collected a couple of slaps for fighting back before I got pulled from the melee, into a house for my safety. Now I have to be smuggled out of the voting area because I have been marked,” a journalist and CEO of Afrobeats Intelligence Joey Akan said.

    The NewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that as of press time, RRS had arrived at Oba Elegushi after residents staged a protest chanting “we must vote” and with improved military presence, voting has resumed in the area.

  • Do not accept to be used as thugs during elections – RTEAN

    Do not accept to be used as thugs during elections – RTEAN

    Ahead of the February 25th general elections in the country Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has warned its members to desist from being lobbied or used as thugs during the 2023 general elections in the country.

    Similarly, the body has declared that it has not endorsed any candidate for the presidential election in the country.

    President of RTEAN, Amb. Musa Muhammed Maitakobi, stated this on Monday, during the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the RTEAN’s headquarters in Abuja.

    He was responding to allegations that some politicians usually arm RTEAN members to cause chaos during elections.

    At the event, members of the association from the six geo-political zones and 36 states of the federation also endorsed the second-term bid of Maitakobi as president of the association.

    Maitakobi stated: “Today being February 20, 2023, we have a special message to our members throughout the federation. The message is simple. Members of RTEAN, anywhere you find yourself, don’t be allowed to be used as tout or hooliganism. I know our members are law-abiding citizens and we as an association will not allow any member to involve himself in any trouble.

    “If you look at our constitution, it tells us to take steps to eradicate touting, hooliganism and cultism. That is what we are trying to let the government know. A lot of things are happening in states where they suspend our operations in the country.

    “The thugs and cultists have taken over our job in some states where they suspend our operations. We don’t know these thugs. They (politicians) use them for their campaigns. They are not our members. Our members are operating in line with the constitution.

    “All our state chairmen and secretaries should therefore call our members and address them. They should not allow themselves to be used in any form of thuggery or crisis. We need peace in this country. I also urge all the state chairmen to corporate with the security agencies throughout the federation.”

    Speaking on endorsing a candidate for the elections, he insisted that the association is neutral and would not engage in partisan politics.

    “Our constitution did not tell me to have a preference among people contesting elections. Our constitution does not recognise ethnicity, religion and politics”, he stated.

    On the union’s relationship with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the forthcoming elections, he explained why the association is yet to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the electoral umpire for the movement of logistics during elections

    “We are vehicle owners. We are not drivers and we are representing the federal republic of Nigeria in the trade union act. We can’t go otherwise. INEC knows we are here and they know our headquarters. If they invite us, we will go and if they don’t we can’t push ourselves to INEC. If you want to know the reason why we are yet to sign an MoU, it is better to communicate with the INEC chairman and ask him why he didn’t invite RTEAN this year”.

    Speaking, Secretary General RTEAN, Comrade Yusuf Adeniyi, said members of the association decided to pass a vote of confidence on Maitakobi because of his track record.

    “We passed a vote of confidence on our national president because of his hard work and he is a good team leader. Right from when he served as the state chairman for our Lagos state chapter, he has made our association proud. He is one of the best leaders we ever had in the union and therefore, we are passing a vote of confidence on his leadership and that he should be our sole presidential candidate during our next Congress in April.”

  • VIDEOS: WATCH moment alleged political thugs sponsored by Rivers PDP abduct Opobo LG Coordinator of Cole

    VIDEOS: WATCH moment alleged political thugs sponsored by Rivers PDP abduct Opobo LG Coordinator of Cole

    Videos showing moment alleged Rivers PDP political thugs abducted APC guber candidate’s Opobo LGA Coordinator Brown Boma on Tuesday has emerged online.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports the incident took place in Opobo while the coordinator and Tonye Cole’s supporters were preparing for a rally.

    According to an account recorded by one of the coordinators, the thugs suddenly emerged and started scattering all they had put in place for the rally shooting sporadically into the air “to scare us”.

    The supporters also did not give up as they pursued the thugs and rescued Brown Boma from the sponsored political thugs.

    Watch videos:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Media/News Company (@thenewsgurung)

  • Thugs set Ogun INEC office ablaze

    Thugs set Ogun INEC office ablaze

    The Independent National Electoral office situated at Iyana Mortuary lll in Abeokuta the  Ogun state capital  was razed down in the wee hours of Thursday by suspected hoodlums in the state.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums numbering about eight jumped into the building through the fence and set the INEC building on fire from the back.

    Reports say that the hoodlums after invading the premises, soaked loaves of bread with petrol and threw same into the building at different angles to light up the INEC office.

    Meanwhile, the security guard  stationed at the premises, Azeez Hamzat  called the police informing them about the fire incident around 1 am.

    The police from Ibara division reportedly mobilised detectives to the scene and later contacted men of fire service in the state , who raced to the scene to put out the fire.

    When contacted, the Ogun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Niyi Ijalaye confirmed the incident, describing it as shocking.

    The REC said the situation was still being assessed.

    He said “It is correct that our office was set on fire. The police are investigating. I do not know what to say. I’m in shock myself.

    “We called the police and other security agencies at night. The fire brigade put the situation under control. The level of damage is still being assessed.

    “It is very shocking and untoward. The security agencies are doing their very best. We are meeting again later today to come up with other strategies (toward securing our facilities).”

    A source in the INEC hinted that the store, the Registration Area Officer’s office, and the conference room were affected by the inferno.

    He said that non-sensitive materials were also affected by the fire. adding that “No life was lost and no injury was sustained in the fire,” the source disclosed.

    The Ogun state police command is yet to comment on the incident.

  • 2023: Thugs attack PDP supporters in Kaduna campaign rally

    2023: Thugs attack PDP supporters in Kaduna campaign rally

    Persons suspected to be political thugs have attacked supporters of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar at the ongoing campaign rally in Kaduna State.

    Atiku confirmed the attack via a post on his verified social media handles on Monday.

    Recall that few days ago, thugs attacked supporters of the party in Zamfara State leading to the death of at least one person, while several others were injured.

    Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the president Buhari to address the security situation in the country to prevent a re-occurrence of such incident.

    “I have just received emergency reports of attacks on PDP supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago.

    “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns, just as with the elections themselves, are kept free, fair and safe”.

    Casualties recorded during the attack could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

  • Isoko Rep Race: How alleged hired political thugs attacked Ex-MD Of DESOPADEC, Askia

    Isoko Rep Race: How alleged hired political thugs attacked Ex-MD Of DESOPADEC, Askia

    More facts have emerged on how immediate past Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and frontline House of Representatives aspirant for Isoko Federal Constituency, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, was attacked by political thugs during a consultative visit to PDP delegates in Isoko North, Delta State, have been revealed.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) gathered that the attack was hatched by some unnamed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders particularly from Isoko North of reportedly masterminding the attack against Bashorun Askia and members of entourage.

    Askia and his campaign entourage were on Tuesday attacked after paying a consultative visit to the leadership of Isoko North PDP and delegates ahead of the forthcoming primaries of the party to choose the flagbearer of the PDP for the 2023 general election.

    The attack which took place at Otor-Igho in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State left no fewer than two mobile policemen attached to the politician injured.

    Some vehicles in campaign convoy were also damaged by the hoodlums during the incident.

    Speaking on the incident, a leader of the party in Isoko Nation told our correspondent that the attack was aimed at intimidating the House of Representatives aspirant whose opponent is an ally and being sponsored by sponsors of the attack.

    According to the source, a top PDP exco arranged two sets of thugs. One, to disrupt Askia while addressing the delegates and party officials. While the other group of thugs was stationed at the Otor-Igho Primary School to attack Askia’s convoy on their way out of the community.”
    One of the damaged vehicles during the attack on Bashorun Askia

    Another revelation claimed that, “In addition to this, the LGA PDP chairman after the presentation of Bashorun Askia, in what could be seen as partisan preconceived response, went on countering whatever Bashorun had presented.

    “He cut short persons who were in support of Bashorun in their speeches, claiming he was expecting others who were coming after Bashorun visit. A total disregard for his visitor and very unfriendly in his response.”

    Reacting to the attack, the Isoko North PDP chairman, Godwin Ogorugba, denied his involvement in the attack against Ogieh by political thugs in his compound.

    He said, “I was very angry, I learnt it was some boys from Emevor, Owhelogbo and Ozoro that were stoning him because they said he didn’t give them money.”

    The glowing performances in terms of employment and development of Isoko nation, including the rising profile of Bashorun Askia Ogieh, according to sources had sent jitters into the camps of Jonathan Ukodhiko who is also said to be aspiring for the Isoko federal constituency in the 2023 general elections.

    “The only option left for Ukodhiko due to his unacceptability is to create trouble everywhere. I will boldly say that this is not the way to go in responsible politics”, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain from Isoko South said.