By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State of orchestrating last week’s attack on party supporters in Port-Harcourt.
Recall that no fewer than three persons were reportedly injured after an explosion rocked the traditional grounds, Rumuwoji Town in Mile 1, Port Harcourt City local government area during an APC governorship Campaign Rally last Thursday.
The Rivers State Police Command had denied that an explosion occurred but said that the violence in the area was a result of a clash between aggrieved APC supporters.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Barr. Felix Morka in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, alleged that officials of the Port-Harcourt City local government area of the state had attacked supporters of the APC with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) as well as rapid gunfire during the rally.
The APC said that such unprovoked attacks were detrimental to democracy and the conduct of the 2023 elections.
“We strongly condemn this grievous attack at the Port- Harcourt rally. It constitutes an assault on our democracy and a clear and present threat to next month’s general election.
“As signatories to the peace pact, political parties owe themselves and the country a dirt to engage in issue-based campaigns, to rein in their members and eschew all forms of violence during the remainder of the electioneering season and beyond,” the statement read.
The APC, while debunking claims of no explosion by the Police in Rivers State demanded that the Police make public, the report of its investigation into the incident.
“The statement credited to the Rivers State Police Command that there was no explosion at the rally does not cut the urgency and seriousness of the matter.
“The police can not casually and hastily dismiss eye witness report of explosion of IEDs at the rally without full and proper investigation.”
The PDP in Rivers State has since described the incident as a cheap popularity stunt by the APC, claiming no knowledge of the incident.
