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| Oby Ndukwe running at the background |
It may sound trivial or stupid to some but to me, my family, friends and readers, it’s more than a frivolous story. I received a call yesterday that there was a protest going on at the INEC headquarters, Abuja by members of Rivers APC led by the state party Chairman, Ibiamu Davies Ikanya and the governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside.
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On getting there, I saw a number of APC candidates and other journalists who were having a tough time trying to convince the policemen outside of their mission to the Commission.
Senator Magnus Abe was at his best while insisting that they be addressed by the INEC Chairman.
As usual, I tried to capture the story and some pictures as well. After a prolonged argument with Dakuku Peterside and Andrew Uchendu leading, the protesters were allowed to go in but were again stopped at the main entrance by gun trotting policemen.
In spite of Dakuku’s explanations that the group was there to register their grievances with the Chairman of the Commission over the tacit refusal of the officials in Port Harcourt to allow for a forensic inspection of materials used for the elections as ordered by the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal coupled with over 27 letters earlier written; rather than address the protesters who were peaceful all through, the APC members, journalists and other visitors at the gate were replied with fumes of chemical weapons commonly known as tear gas.
As a chemist, on inhaling the poisonous gas, I could differentiate between an ordinary tear gas and a more dangerous choking gas.
There were no tears as its commonly known but I had severe coughing which almost got me choked as I grasped for breath.
Instead of looking for water which is the easiest antidote to the regular tear gas, I asked for coke. The carbonated drink would absorb the chemical components of the emission of the deadly gas.
Some how, I tried to pretend all was well, just like some others, but I quickly remembered that I have been on medication recently for my distressed lungs.
The doctor had told me recently that my lungs were not drawing enough air, as such, occasionally, my breath would kind of seize while my lungs are under pressure to draw some air needed to keep me going.
You can then imagine what could have been the case, if the choking gas had caused further blockage of air to my lungs.
But in all, God kept me until today.
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Of course, some would have denied again that late Senator Chuba Okadigbo was not killed as a result of the poisonous gas he inhaled after policemen ignorantly used chemical weapons on him and some others who were luckier not to have similar or worse complications.
I am grateful to God for saving my life while I pray that soon I will receive better medical treatment. I also thank all those who called in without having a knowledge of my health condition, to ascertain my safety.
May God bless you all and I pray that He that saved my life without any medications will do same for you whenever you encounter an unexpected challenge, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The struggle continues!!!! Aluta Continua!!!
JUSTICE SHALL PREVAIL ON THE ALTAR OF TRUTH.
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Oby Ndukwe Is the Publisher of THE BEAM MAGAZINE
