23rd January, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The campaign train of the Rivers State governorship candidate of Accord, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, was attacked by gunmen on Saturday, at Igbo-Etche, leaving his vehicle damaged.
The Accord flag bearer was on his campaign roadshow in Etche Local Government Area when hoodlums suspected allegedly sponsored by a rival political (name withheld) shot at vehicles in his convoy, throwing bottles and stones at them.
Speaking to Journalists immediately after the ugly incident, Dumo Lulu-Briggs said that he got a report that the Accord secretariat at Igbo-Etche was attacked by a gang of youths.
He said he was on his way to see things for himself at the campaign sectretariat when gunmen opened fire on him and his supporters.
“This morning we got a very damning report that our Party Secretariat at Etche was attacked by organized PDP gang, organized by the chairman of the council.
So, we have to go to see what was going on at our Secretariat.
“On our way there, the said boys opened fire at us, attacked us, destroyed our vehicles, you can look at my car, they shot at my car, threw pebbles, my glass (windscreen) shattered. It’s terrible”.
Gun shots were heard even as he was addressing newsmen.
The Accord governorship candidate expressed sadness about the turn of events in Rivers State, saying that the state is now a jungle and a lawless state.
“I don’t understand what this State has turned to. It’s a jungle State now, lawless place, it’s terrible.
“People must be allowed to campaign, we will not be deterred. Rivers’ people will decide who will be their Governor, who will be their Senators, It’s not by violence. It’s not by attacking people’s offices, convoy and the rest. These things must stop, I mean it’s not a kangaroo State. We have a country”.
Dumo Lulu-Briggs said that he tried to call the State Commissioner of police but couldn’t get through to him. He advised the state governor to call his boys in the LGAs to order.
“I have tried to reach the Commissioner of Police, but I have not been able to get him. But I have sent him a message by text, and I hope that he will get my message and then call me. I will keep trying him, but this is nonsense. This nonsense has to stop. The Governor has to call his boys; hold a meeting with all his chairmen and give them firm instructions, because the buck stops on his table”.
Also speaking on the attack at Igbo-Ethe, the House of Assembly candidate of Accord in Etche Constituency 2, Mr. Chioma Choko said the hoodlums that shot at them and beat up people was led by the Revenue Committee Chairman of Etche LGA, Mr. Agbagbuo Teslin and Mr. Frank Nwaigwe.
“My name is Chioma Choko, I am the Accord Assembly candidate for Etche constituency 2.
“What actually happened was that we set out to carry out our campaign at Igbo-Etche, only for us to notice the presence of unknown party members, persons who were allegedly led by the Revenue Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, one Hon. Agbagbuo Teslin and Frank Nwaigwe.
“I met with these persons as a matter of fact because I know them too well. They came for purpose which was a purpose of destroying the entirety of our target today, and they succeeded.
“They shot sporadically, shot some persons, gave thorough beatings to some of our party members and destroyed the entirety of our stage.”.(sic).
Dumo Lulu-Briggs Campaign was also recently stopped from entering the market in Bonny by the Chairperson of the Council.
At time of filling this report, the Rivers Police Command has not reacted to incident.