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Explosion rocks Rivers APC secretariat ahead of LG Elections
The secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was attacked with explosives suspected to be dynamite in the early hours of Saturday.
The blast destroyed the gate, doors, windows, and other properties, marking the second such incident at the APC secretariat this year.
According to Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC faction in Rivers State, during a press briefing, the attackers struck at 3:20 am. “Some gun-trotting young men came here, dropped the first explosive, and returned to burn the structure when it didn’t detonate,” Okocha recounted. The security house was completely destroyed, but swift intervention from party members prevented further damage.
The incident occurred on the eve of the local government elections in Rivers State, with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission confirming the distribution of sensitive materials to various local government areas on Friday.
READ ALSO: Rivers LG Election: PDP urges IG to provide security, ensure smooth exercise
A viral video of the scene shows workers assessing the damage. However, the state police command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she had not received a report on the incident but promised to follow up.
This development raises concerns about the safety and security of political parties and their infrastructure ahead of the elections. The APC has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
The attack has sparked speculation and condemnation from various quarters, with some attributing it to political tensions in the state. The incident is likely to add to the already charged atmosphere surrounding the local government elections.
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