Irate youth alleged to be supporters of the outgoing Chairman of the Koinadugu District Council, Peter Bayuku Konteh aka Agbangba, went on the rampage late yesterday in Kabala and pelted stones at the residences of the two Paramount Chiefs in the town.
It followed Bayugu's failure to secure a party symbol for the All People's Congress to run for a second and final term. He was defeated by Sheku Kamara in a run-off poll by 63 to 52 votes after both candidates could only poll 35 – 37 votes respectively in the first round.
Youths immediately went awry, chanting: “No Agbangba No APC” and reportedly ran amok. The police Local Unit Commander, Superintendent Alimamy Bangura, told Politico that the protests were generally peaceful. He however said that the protesters threw stones at the homes of Paramount Chief Gbawuru of Wara Wara and Paramount Chief Allie Balansama Marrah of Sengbeh.
Superintendent Alimamy said two arrests had been made.
He said they had got intelligence reports two days prior that there were plans to wreak havoc in the aftermath of the votes should their preferred candidate fail to win. But assured that calm had been restored to the place adding that the two suspects would soon be charged for public order offences.
He said a group of mostly young men had first protested on Tuesday in favour of the incumbent Council Chairman but that since they were not riotous the police only persuaded them to disperse. He said they regrouped on Wednesday but police cordoned off the venue of the election since that was their apparent target. He reported damage done to the residence of PC Allie Balansama Marrah but said there had been no report of damage done to PC Gbawuru's.
Attempts to get a reaction from Peter Bayuku Konteh proved futile as his phone was switched off. However he reportedly told his angry supporters to stay calm and be law-abiding.
