Opposition Politicians Clash at Funeral Ceremony in Rivers

There was bloody commotion at the funeral service of late Deaconess Elizabeth’s Mba-Ngeri in Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State as guests and visitors ran for their lives following a fight that ensued between supporters of Governor Siminilaiye Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike.

Eye witnesses at the event said the crises broke out after the master of ceremony MC at the burial ceremony recognized Hon. Aforje Igwe who accompanied former Senator Olaka Nwogu, a relation of the deceased woman, as the lawmaker representing Eleme constituency in the State House of Assembly.

According to the eye witness, there was restiveness by a section of the youths at the venue who were angered by the reference to Hon Aforge as a member representing the area at the state Assembly. This was said to have sparked verbal exchanges between the supporters of Hon. Aforge and those of Amb. Orji Ngofa and the Eleme Council Chairman, Hon. Brain Gokpa who were at the ceremony in solidarity with Hon. Johnson NWogu, a relation of the late Deaconess Mba-Ngei.

Reports had it that the rowdy verbal exchanges degenerated into bloody fights among the two opposing groups with sporadic gunshots and dangerous weapons freely hauled at the venue. Guests and mourners were reported to have fled the burial venue to escape from from dangerous weapons and flying bullets.

Reports had it that one Mr. Gomba Okaro was physically attacked and knocked down in the ensuing fracas at the burial venue adding that it took the intervention of security officers to restore normalcy and save the victim from the mob. The unconscious victim, the report stated was latter seen being carried out of the venue and taken to Senator Olaka’s residence in Alesa Community for medical attention. The remains of the late Deaconess Mba-Ngei was latter taken away for a quiet burial at the family home.

The gravity of the incident is seen as a testament of the deep seated animosity between supporters of two political leaders in the state and appears to be a reflection of what to expect as the 2027 Governorship elections in Rivers state gets closer.