The APC spokesperson said the police could not casually and hastily dismiss eyewitness reports of explosion of IEDs at the Port Harcourt rally without full and proper investigation.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that an explosion occurred at its Port Harcourt rally on January 19.
TheNiche had reported the incident, noting that at least three persons sustained injuries in the attack.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement on Thursday said the attack involving the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and rapid gunfire was a “vicious assault on democracy.”
He added that the development represented a new and dangerous dimension in political violence in the country in the build up to forthcoming general elections.
Morka alleged that the attack was carried out by suspected thugs of an opposition political party.
According to the APC scribe, the attackers were ostensibly on a mission to disrupt and disperse the rally at the traditional grounds of Rumuwoji Town in Mile 1 area of Port-Harcourt.
He explained that the Port Harcourt rally was convened in accordance with all applicable constitutional and legal standards.
Morka, while condemning the attack, said it constituted an assault on our democracy and a clear threat to the general elections.
“The escalation of violence calculated to intimidate and scuttle legitimate campaign activities by opposition political parties in Rivers State is unacceptable and must stop.
“The perpetrators and victims of campaign violence are all Nigerians and we cannot permit or excuse anyone to inflict harm, maim or kill others on account of political partisanship.
“That is the direct antithesis of our democratic norms and negates the greatness of our national democratic aspiration,” Morka said.
He called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to order a full, thorough and expeditious investigation of the incident.
He stressed that the statement credited to the Rivers State Police Command that there was no explosion at the rally does not do justice to the urgency and seriousness of the matter.
The APC spokesperson said the police could not casually and hastily dismiss eyewitness reports of explosion of IEDs at the Port Harcourt rally without full and proper investigation.
He added that if such an investigation had been conducted, the Nigeria Police should do well to make the investigation public.
“This is a matter of national concern. Nigerians deserve to know and must be reassured that attending opposition campaign rallies in Rivers State is not akin to a journey of no return to the front lines of illicit and orchestrated war.
“Every citizen, irrespective of partisan political affiliation, is entitled to equal protection of law.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the State, Governor Nyesom Wike must do his duty to offer equal protection of the law to all citizens of the state.
“He must work with law enforcement agencies to solve this heinous crime, prevent a recurrence and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Morka said.
He wished APC members that were injured in the attack speedy and full recovery and urged the party’s members to remain calm, strong, and undeterred.
 has confirmed that an explosion occurred at its Port Harcourt rally on January 19.){kind=link}