By Nicholas Walter
An explosion, targeting the Tony Okocha-led Rivers State All Progressives Congress Secretariat, took place this morning amidst the ongoing local government elections across the state. The incident has caused an alarm in the midst of heightened political activities and tensions surrounding the elections.
According to sources close to the incident, the blast has wrecked serious damages to the secretariat located in Port Harcourt-a state capital. Details are still coming in, but it has been confirmed that no immediate casualties have taken place. For now, authorities are trying to establish what caused the explosion and the full extent of the damage.
Tensions Amid Local Government Polls
This explosion comes at a time when Rivers State is conducting its local government elections, which have already been marred by political disagreements. The elections have been under the spotlight owing to internal party crises and accusations of attempts to influence the outcomes. The incident involving the APC secretariat further adds to concerns over security and integrity related to the electoral process.
Speculations and warnings of disruptions had been made in the lead-up to the polls. The Tony Okocha-led faction of the APC has been at the center of a political storm with internal divisions within the party contributing to the heightened tension. Many people view the explosion at their secretariat as an indication of the volatile political atmosphere in the state.
Increased Security and Investigation
Immediately, the police and other law enforcement agencies deployed men to the site of the explosion, which it said was cordoned off. The Rivers State Police Command further launched an investigation into the incident, though no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet.
It will only be an official clarification by the police that would confirm whether the explosion was meant to disrupt the election process or just a chance happening.
The leader of the APC, Tony Okocha, who expressed surprise at the incident, called for restraint among members of the party. He called on relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the explosion are brought to book to avoid going scot-free. “We remain committed to the democratic process and will not be intimidated by this act of violence,” Okocha said.
The APC secretariat represents an important hub for the operations of the party; the damage caused by the explosion is at variance with the coordination of the Party’s participation in the forthcoming Local Government Elections.
Political Tensions and Judicial Rulings
The explosion is the latest in a series of events that have marked a turbulent political landscape in Rivers State. Recently, there have been controversial court rulings and internal party disputes that have contributed to the charged atmosphere. The Rivers APC has been embroiled in legal battles over the appointment of legal representation, with conflicting court decisions adding to the confusion.
Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, had previously ruled on internal party matters involving the APC, with his judgments sparking debate among legal and political observers. His rulings regarding the authority of the national APC body over the state chapter have been described by some as inconsistent, leading to accusations of “judicial confusion” and “conflict of decision” from various quarters.
As the local government elections proceed, many fear that the explosion may heighten tensions further, especially with accusations of external influence on the electoral process. The political landscape in Rivers State remains highly volatile, with ongoing concerns about the fairness and security of the election.
