By Our reporter
Following in the footstep of hoodlums in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital who invaded the Judicial complex of the state on Friday, destroying property and leaving two security guards dead, the Imo State secretariat of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was on Friday set ablaze by miscreants.
The office was set on fire ahead of the state local government congress on Saturday.
At press time (6.10 pm), the secretariat located on Okigwe road was still aflame with some party faithful and security operatives attempting to put it out.
It is believed that a faction of the APC leadership in Imo may have burnt the headquarters.
A source said the inferno may be connected with the raging war over who controls the structure of the party in Imo State between Governor Rochas Okorocha and APC Stakeholders under the aegis of Alliance Forces of All Progressives Congress led by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere.
The source said: “This evening, the APC secretariat located at Works Layout by Okigwe Road, Owerri, was seen with thick smoke and tongue of flames ripping through the roof of the building, which stirred up pandemonium as people ran helter-skelter while the courageous used everything in sight including sand and whatever that was available as fire-fighting instrument.
“According to Government House source, the fire incident may not be unconnected with tomorrow’s APC local government area congress, which the Governor has vowed to stop following his woeful failure in seizing the party structure in the last ward congresses.
“It will be recalled that last Saturday, during the ward congresses, it was reported that the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Sen. Ben. Uwajumogu, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, Sir Jude Ejiogu, Chief felix Idiga among many others were physically attacked by fiercely looking thugs suspected to have those granted amnesty by Governor Okorocha.
“The miscreants were led by Hon. Deacon Chike Okafor, member, House Representatives, Hon. Kenneth Emelu, Adviser to the Governor on Youth Affairs, Hon. Kingsley Uju, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations who is notoriously known for unleashing thugs on the commoners.
“Following Governor Okorocha’s confusion on how he lost the ward congresses, Monday, May 7, 2018, the party secretariat was reported to have been attacked by a troop of thugs led by Comrade Jeff Nwaoha.
“Now that once known peaceful city of Owerri has become a theatre of war, who knows what the epilogue of tomorrow’s LGA congress will read.”