The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party of masterminding the attack on its rally in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The main opposition party in the state alleged that the shootings and explosion which temporarily disrupted the campaign and injured about five persons were orchestrated by thugs working for the PDP.
Spokesman for the Rivers APC 2023 Campaign Council, Sogbeye Eli, disclosed this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Eli accused the state Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, of bias, saying the latter had violated his mantra of been a ‘human rights advocate’ during his maiden press briefing on assumption of office.
He wondered why the CP would order an investigation after making a categorical statement that no explosion was recorded at the campaign venue.
Eli said, “We are shocked that the CP who assured Rivers people that under his watch, the rights of persons would be respected and vowed to ensure violent-free campaigns in the build-up to the 2023 general elections is not only unable to effect a single arrest and prosecution from all the reported incidents of attacks on political opponents.
“But he (CP) denied a costly bomb attack on innocent and unarmed citizens of Rivers State. In the light of the foregoing, we hereby call on all security agencies domiciled in the state, particularly the Director, Department of State Services, to redouble their efforts and rein in the governor (Nyesom Wike), council chairmen and other PDP officials who have nothing but violence as tool to perpetuate themselves in power.”
Recall that few minutes after the arrival of party chieftains, including the former APC acting national chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, the governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, sporadic gunshots were fire, followed by a twin explosion from devices suspected to be dynamites at the Rumu-Woji playground in the Mile One axis of Port Harcourt.
But in a swift reaction, the Director, Publicity and Communication, Rivers PDP Campaign Council, Ogbonna Nwuke, denied the ruling party’s involvement in the attacks.
Nwuke in a statement said, “The Police in Rivers State has already issued a clarification.
“The Force (police) has explained that no other political party came anywhere near the venue of the APC rally. It is surprising that after the police offered a comprehensive explanation on the matter, the APC will address the press to reel out accusations that are based on falsehood.
“You see, we are a peaceful political party. We understand our mission. We believe that everyone has a right to campaign.
“We have insisted, and continue to insist, on issue-based campaigns. So, how can the APC accuse us of detonating an improvised explosive at the venue of their rally after the Police has waded into the matter?”
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