Former militants in Delta State, led by one “General” Goddey Smith, aka Bounanawei have barred the All Progressives Congress (APC) from campaigning in the riverine Burutu Local Government Area of the state.
It was learned that the former militants chased away former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and a senatorial candidate of the party, Temisan Omatseye, from the area on Monday.
“No party other than the Peoples Democratic Party is allowed to campaign in the locality,” the ex-militants were quoted as saying.
When contacted, Omatseye confirmed that he was harassed by ex-militants but Yemi Emiko, who maintained that he was the bonafide Delta South senatorial candidate of the APC, said, “Omatseye is not known by the APC in Delta State as a senatorial candidate, I am the candidate of the party.”
Omatseye said he and his entourage were harassed and told to leave Burutu Rivers, adding that the ex-militants did not hurt them, but escorted them back to Warri.
He disputed the claim by Emiko that he was not the senatorial candidate of the party, adding that the legitimate candidate would be decided by the court.
The ex-militants reportedly seized video camera and other gadgets from Omatseye and his entourage and advised them to vacate the area.
Bounanawei said: “I want to warn categorically clear that no political party in Nigeria, apart from the Peoples Democratic Party will be allowed to campaign in Delta riverine communities.”
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