What should have been a smooth and successful election of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria turns into a free for all exchange of fisticuff, plunging the association into deeper crisis
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The election of new executives of the Bayelsa State Chapter of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) escalated the crisis-ridden body into deeper troubles as the election descended into violence and bloodshed.
Tentacle gathered that violence erupted as dispute over voting eligibility sparked chaos leaving members injured and a senior national officer allegedly assaulted.
Multiple eyewitness who attended the election said the crisis began after a controversial voting condition requiring members to have paid three years of outstanding dues was reported introduced on the day of the election.
The development immediately triggered protests from members who claimed they had not been informed of such a requirement before arriving at the venue to participate in the exercise.
What began as verbal disagreements soon escalated into physical confrontation, with witnesses alleging that supporters loyal to one of the contenders disrupted the process, leading to widespread disorders.
In the ensuing chaos, the National Vice President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria for South-South Zone, Dr. Bartholomew was reportedly attacked while attempting to restore calm and ensure the election continued peacefully.
Also said to have come under attack was Mr. Agility, a representative of the National President, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu (ABKING) who was present to oversee the conduct of the exercise.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as shocking claiming that blood was shed during the confrontation as members struggled to regain control of the situation.
One of the witnesses Dr. Ken Osunwa, expressed concern over the level of violence witnessed at the election venue “it took blood to conduct the election,” he said.
According to him, the most troubling aspect of the incident was the alleged failure of the security personnel to intervene while the violence unfolded.
“We watched in shock as the Vice President South-South was attacked while police officers stood watching. If national officers are not safe, who is?”, he said.
Several members who spoke after the election similarly questioned the conduct of the security operatives deployed to the venue alleging that officers present did little to prevent the attacks or protect national officers.
Tentacle further gathered from an eyewitness (name withheld) that the camp of the former Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Bayelsa State, Ahty Nestor Oki, who is seeking re-election was alleged to have initiated the clash amid claims that she was likely to lose to an opposing candidate described by some as “an Igbo woman unfit to led”.
It is on record that Ahty Nestor Oki, the state Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Bayelsa State holds the distinction of being the state’s first-ever elected female chairman and the youngest to serve as the chairperson.
It was further alleged that Mrs. Rachel Josiah, the Sole Administrator, alongside some members of the electoral committee (AGNEC), played roles in the escalation of the crisis including arrangements that reportedly failed to provide adequate security for the Vice President during the incident.
The allegations Tentacle further learnt have fueled growing calls for an independent investigation into the incident and the role played by security personnel during the election.
Members are now urging the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Police Force to review all available video footage and investigate the conduct of officers who were present at the venue.
According to those making the demand, the objective is not to apportion blame unfairly but to establish the facts surrounding the violence and ensure accountability where necessary.
Despite the tension generated by the incident, members emphasized that they condemn violence form any quarter and remains committed to the unity and progress of the guild.
They expressed hope that a transparent investigation would help restore confidence in the organization and pave the way for peace and reconciliation within the Bayelsa Chapter.
As calls for accountability continue to mount, attention is now focused on whether the police authorities and the national leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria will launch formal investigations into the circumstances that led to one of the most turbulent elections in the chapter’s recent history.
