Police officers in Delta State have arrested some members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the State. The APC members were arrested following a violent clash by supporters of the two factions of the party in the state. The crisis rocking the party worsened on Tuesday, following a clash by supporters of the two factions at the party’s secretariat in Asaba, the state capital. The party in the state had been engulfed in leadership crisis with a faction loyal to Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor and the other loyal to a Second Republic senator, Spanner Okpozo.
It will be recalled that the Senator Okpozo faction, under the aegis of Elders and Leaders of APC, had inaugurated a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party in the state after the State High Court sacked the Prophet Jones Erue-led executive that was elected at a congress held in the premises of a church in 2014, following a suit filed by Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh.
Thugs armed with dangerous weapons including guns invaded the secretariat and allegedly molested members of the state disciplinary committee who were meeting to consider a report of anti-party activities against some members.
A dependable source, alleged that there was exchange of gunfire between thugs suspected to be loyal to both factions, adding that heavily armed policemen were immediately invited, who made some arrests. Saying that those arrested were taken to the police headquarters for questioning, the source who pleaded anonymity, said that the policemen sealed up the secretariat to avoid further clashes.
The Olorogun Emerhor faction had since dismissed the setting up of the caretaker committee, insisting that Erhue remained the authentic chairman of the party, adding that they had appealed the judgment which sacked the Erue-led executive. Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Celestina Kalu, said that the matter was still being investigated. As at press time, the party secretariat was still under lock and key.
