Suspected arsonists in the wee hours of Saturday have reportedly detonated explosives at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, APC
The incident which has caused tension in the state occurred just hours before the local government elections, slated for today, October 5.
It was gathered that the APC, the primary opposition party in Rivers State, was targeted in the attack, which took place at its secretariat in Port Harcourt.
According to a video footage making rounds online, believed to have been captured shortly after the explosion, dynamite was used in the attack.
Some workers were also seen at the facilities going round to ascertain the extent of damage
The blast caused damage to the main gate, the security post of the APC secretariat, and parts of a nearby building.
In a statement obtained by DAILY GIST on Saturday, Chief Tony Okocha, chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, attributed the attack to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Okocha alleged that “pro-Fubara civilian soldiers” were responsible for detonating dynamite at the office in the early hours of the morning.
He further explained that a second attempt to set the building ablaze was thwarted by security personnel at the gate, who quickly extinguished the fire.
This development comes after the APC had earlier announced its decision to boycott the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5.
In a surprising move, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, also declared its non-participation in the polls.
DAILY GIST reported earlier that the Nigerian Police Force, NPF announced its withdrawal from the election, citing a federal high court ruling barring it from providing security for the poll.
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