APC says bombing Rivers campaign train dangerous dimension in political violence

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressive Congress (APC) has said the violent attack at the Party’s rally in Port Harcourt yesterday, involving the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and rapid gunfire was despicable, and represents a new and dangerous dimension in political violence in the build up to next month’s general election.

A statement issued by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka said the detonation of IED and gunfire resulted in serious injuries to Party members and supporters in the immediate vicinity of the attack.

APC said the attack, which was carried out by suspected thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was led by senior officials of the Port-Harcourt City Local Government Area, on a mission to disrupt and disperse the rally at the traditional grounds of Rumuwoji Town in Mile 1 area of Port-Harcourt under the pretext of enforcing the draconic Executive Order 21 and 22 of the Rivers State Government enacted to stifle opposition political engagements.

“To be clear, the Port-Harcourt rally was convened in accordance with all applicable constitutional and legal standards of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We strongly condemn this gruesome 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. 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.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police to order a full, thorough and expeditious investigation of the incident.  Statements credited to the Rivers State Police Command that there was no explosion at the rally do not cut the urgency and seriousness of the matter.

“The Police cannot casually and hastily dismiss eye-witness reports of explosion of IEDs at the rally without full and proper  investigation. If such an investigation has been conducted, the Nigeria Police should do well to make the investigation report 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 frontlines 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,

“His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, must do his duty to offer equal protection of the law to all citizens of the State, and work with law enforcement agencies to solve this heinous crime, prevent a recurrence and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We wish our Party members injured in the attack speedy and full recovery. We urge our members to remain calm, strong, and undeterred as they continue to turn up massively at our Party’s campaign rallies in the state.

“As signatories to the Peace Pact, political parties owe themselves and the country a duty 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 party said.