Gunmen suspected to be political thugs loyal to Gov Douye Diri on Saturday disrupted the pro-Tinubu rally and inauguration of the NEW Associates group at the Church of God Mission Camp at Igbogene, Yenagoa.

Diri had vehemently opposed hosting the rally in Bayelsa, directing security agencies to nip it in the bud.

The rally organized by the supporters of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike in appreciation of President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of Bayelsa into positions in government.

The rally earlier scheduled for April 12 was postponed to April 26, after supporters of Gov. Douye Diri also fixed their rally at the earlier date and venue.

The supporters of NEW Associates who had thronged the venue as early as 8am, were already seated when the gunmen emerged from the nearby creeks and bush shooting sporadically.

The crowd however scampered for their lives while the combined security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and DSS engaged the hoodlums to retreat.

They also combed the surrounding bushes to forestall any further attacks.

Speaking shortly after the incident, the Secretary of NEW Associates and former spokesman of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Mr Ebilade Ekerefe, accused the Bayelsa government of trying to disrupt their peaceful rally in solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, vowing to continue with the rally.

He said they put up the rally to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of the state in positions of responsibilities in his government, wondering why somebody should feel threatened with a peaceful rally.

He said: “How will somebody go after the law abiding citizens of Nigeria, particularly Ijaw youths, who have gathered to associate politically, we are not here to cause any trouble, we are here to express our supports, solidarity to the President and Commander-in-Chief,” he said.

Also, the immediate past Commissioner of Health in Bayelsa, Dr Pabara Igwele, said the rally is a peaceful one, that anybody trying to cause panic is doing so for political reasons.

He pledged to continue with the rally despite the earlier disruption by hoodlums.

The rally however went on as Wike’s supporters regrouped after the shooting incidents and inaugurated the Bayelsa chapter of the NEW Associates political support group.

Speaking to the supporters, Mr George Turnah, convener of the group commended the crowd for their resilience in defiance of Gov Diri’s directive to government officials to decline approval for the rally in any government facility in Yenagoa.

“The turn out is an indication of our acceptability and gratitude of Ijaws people to Mr President who ensured that Bayelsa retains vital positions in his administration.

“Even though Bayelsa produced the Minister of State for Petroleum in the last Administration, President Tinubu gave it back to us , the same with the NDDC and so many other appointments which were all facilitated by our patron, Chief Nyesom Wike.

“We are using the inauguration of the NEW Associates simply to appreciate Mr President for supporting Bayelsa and we expect Gov Diri who we supported for his re-election to reciprocate the support,” Turnah said.

Turnah commended Wike for his resolve to collaborate with President Tinubu for rapid development of the Niger Delta region.