Tension has risen in Rivers State following an explosion at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Port Harcourt on the morning of October 5, 2024. The explosion, reportedly caused by dynamites, damaged the main gate, security house, and parts of a nearby building. This incident occurred just hours before the scheduled local government elections in the state, in which the APC had already announced it would not participate.
The caretaker chairman of the APC, Chief Tony Okocha, accused supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of being behind the attack, claiming that they attempted to set the office ablaze but were thwarted by the quick actions of security personnel. This is the second time the secretariat has faced such an attack this year.
Local authorities are investigating the situation, and the police have yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
It sounds like there’s been a significant incident related to the local government elections in Port Harcourt, with an attack on the APC secretariat just hours before the polls. Reports suggest that explosives, possibly dynamite, were used, causing damage to the gate, security post, and nearby buildings. Chief Tony Okocha, the chairman of the APC caretaker committee, has pointed fingers at supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for orchestrating the attack.
This kind of incident could heighten tensions surrounding the elections, especially given the timing and the political climate in Rivers State. It’s critical that the situation is managed carefully to avoid further escalation, as security concerns might also affect voter turnout and the credibility of the election process.
If this is a breaking news situation, it’s likely there will be more details emerging throughout the day. Would you like updates or further context on this situation?
Okocha wrote: “At the wee hours of Saturday, pro-Fubara civilian soldiers detonated dynamites at our office.
“The second attempt to set it ablaze was foiled as the security at the gate quickly put out the fire.”
It seems both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have decided to abstain from the upcoming local government elections in the state. This development raises several questions about the legitimacy and the potential outcomes of the election, as the two major political parties are not participating.
For the APC, it may reflect dissatisfaction with the election process, or perhaps internal party strategies aimed at future elections. The PDP’s decision, under Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron’s leadership, to also opt out could indicate similar concerns or strategic calculations.
In the absence of the two dominant parties, it would be interesting to see how smaller or less-known parties handle the situation and whether voter turnout will be affected. These decisions could also signal deeper political dynamics in the state.
Do you know if any other parties or independent candidates are still contesting?
Click here to join our Telegram Channel