RIVERS: Explosion rocks APC secretariat as LG poll holds

The blast damaged the building situated along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

The incident coincides with the commencement of the contentious local government elections in the state, with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission announcing yesterday that all sensitive materials had been distributed to the various local government areas.

A viral video circulating online showed individuals, presumably staff members of the secretariat, assessing the extent of the destruction.

The explosion destroyed the gate of the secretariat, causing doors and windows to collapse, as well as damaging other property within the facility.

The APC, which is aligned with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, withdrew from the elections due to a court order.

Although the PDP, under Governor Sim Fubara, governs the state, it lacks candidates for the elections because Wike’s faction is opposing Fubara to prevent him from gaining control over the grassroots of the PDP.

In recent developments, the PDP suspended its National Vice Chairman, Odefa, for engaging in anti-party activities.

Both the APC and PDP protested against the elections last week, demanding their cancellation.

Fubara, who insisted that the elections must proceed, had his associates transition to the All Peoples Party, where they are now candidates.

This marks the second explosion the APC has experienced in the lead-up to the local government elections.

Previously, the APP Secretariat in the state was bombed amid speculation that Fubara was leaving the PDP for the APP.

The ongoing political turmoil, stemming from disputes over control of state resources and the PDP’s political structure, has also seen the state assembly bombed earlier this year.

Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the state police command, stated that an official statement will be released in due course.