The uncertain political climate in Rivers State took a more frightening dimension on Monday with an explosion reportedly rocking the Secretariat of the Action People’s Party (APP) in Port Harcourt.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The uncertain political climate in Rivers State took a more frightening dimension on Monday with an explosion reportedly rocking the Secretariat of the Action People’s Party (APP) in Port Harcourt.
The development happened at the state office of the party located along the GRA axis of Port Harcourt, on the early hours of the day.
No particular group or individual has been associated with the blast. Suspicions are however rife that the worrisome development may not be unconnected with the leadership crisis in the state.
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It also comes amidst speculations that the governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has concluded plans to move with his supporters to the APP following the alleged hijack of the People’s Democratic Party in the state by his predecessor and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Reports indicate that the explosion caused heavy sound that rattled the vicinity of the secretariat around 1 am.
There were insinuations that some bandits believed to be political thugs detonated the substance believed to be a dynamite into the building housing the secretariat and that the accompanying explosion shattered the windows and doors, as well destroying other property of the party.
The explosion also damaged the ceiling and fittings in the building leaving the leadership and members of the party in panic.
Vanguard quotes a member of the party who gave his name simply as Chimene as saying: “Yes, I’m a member of the APP. I was informed of the attack about 3am today.
“This is politically motivated and there are no two ways about it. They know that the APP is a fast growing political party in the state. We call on the police to investigate this and arrest the culprits”.
This is not the first time Rivers would be on edge, following the crisis among political players in the state. In October last year, the State House of Assembly complex reportedly went up in flames after some suspected arsonists allegedly threw an explosive into it.
The incident came at the thick of rumours of alleged moves by some lawmakers to impeach the Governor.
It took the quick intervention of men of the fire service to stop the inferno and prevent it from spreading to the entire Assembly complex