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Tag: Rivers State

  • Nothing can stop Rivers LG election – Gov Fubara

    Nothing can stop Rivers LG election – Gov Fubara

    Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration is determined to support the cause of developing a sustainable democracy, and will therefore, not tolerate any misguided group or individual attempting to create confusion or any form of instability in the State.

    The Governor also urged every registered voter and leaders of political groups to ensure they are at their polling units on Saturday, 5th day of October, 2024, to participate in the process that will usher in new political leadership in the 23 Local Government Councils.

    Governor Fubara gave the charge while addressing Rivers Political Stakeholders who converged at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, preparatory for the October 5th Local Government election.

    The Governor said the meeting was convened to give the political class and the generality of the electorate in the State the needed assurances of the support of the State Government to the electoral process as it gravitates towards its climax.

    Governor Fubara stated that the meeting was made open to the public and the media because it is time to strengthen the message across to the people on the importance of the election to the sustainability of democracy in the State.

    The Governor emphasised that the position and resolve of the State Government on the forthcoming election is clear, adding that it will be conducted and concluded.

    Governor Fubara said: “First, I want to thank everyone of you for being very peaceful. You see, I didn’t make any mistake when I said, we need to follow this struggle with a different tactics.

    “If you have very special egg that you are carrying, and somebody is coming to fight you, do you need to fight the person? Won’t you use your two hands to grab the basket of the egg? Even if the person is chasing you, if you run and hit your foot and the basket of egg falls, who is going to lose, is it not you? You can see why we are very careful, and we are following this course with AI.

    “Secondly, I want to assure you that the Local Government election is about the State. I might not be a lawyer but at least, I understand that it is a State matter.

    “And, thirdly, from the beginning of this process to the end is within the purview of the State. It has nothing to do with any federal judicial institution to disrupt it. So, we should understand this fact and play according to the rule.”

    The Governor wondered why some self-serving people are bent on hatching their plot to derail the course of the election when states that have no duly elected Local Government Councils across the country are endeavouring to do so in order not to run foul of the Supreme Court ruling.

    He said: “10 States of the federation have conducted elections with 2023 voter register. I don’t know why things of Rivers State are always different. Is it that when it comes to the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where it concerns Rivers State, it’s a different thing?

    “Anyway, today, we are here to assure you that as a government, we are prepared to support the electoral body to conduct a free, fair and credible election for the peace-loving people Rivers State.”

    Governor Fubara revealed how his insistence on peace, and determination to follow the electorial process through had unsettled some persons.

    Those so unsettled, he said, have resorted to protesting on the streets to attract public sympathy, something they had mocked in the past, which indicates, that he and his team have truly won over the detractors.

    Governor Fubara alluded that some of those on the streets are  people they hired either from places like Obinze-Ngwa, boundary towns between Imo and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government, and Akwa Ibom, who they brought into the city to protest.

    The Governor emphasised that no matter the guise or level of ‘aluta continua’ posture that the detractors adopt, the Local Government election will go on.

    He added, “Our AI pattern of doing things has even made people to turn to the chant of aluta. There was a time, when they told the public that they can’t protest.

    “Look at some of them, they are now behaving like members of labour unions, protesting like students. They have turned to aluta professions. Going by the analysis that they posed then, we can say, there are every signal that they have failed.

    “So, if today, this same persons have resolved to aluta pattern, it means that we have also won. So, we need to be very careful and follow this course with tact.”

    Governor Fubara insisted that the Local Government election will have only those resident in the State who are registered voters participating.

    He said: “Go, do what the law says you should do, as demanded by the RSIEC Law, and leave the rest. RSIEC will take it from there, and when RSIEC finishes its part, the State Government will also take it from that point and finish its part, and the process will all be consummated by the special grace of God in a few days coming.”

    Governor Fubara also said: “You know this election, I am the greatest loser because my party is not participating. It is the truth!

    “But because of the Supreme Court ruling that there must be elected officials to manage the affairs of local governments, as a Governor, I have to obey that.

    “It did not end there. The President, after the Supreme Court ruling, invited us and we had an understanding that we have a compliance duration of 90 days. So, what we are doing here is to make sure that even if my party is not participating, the local council process must stand for Rivers State.

    “And a good number of you here are my party faithful and you are not even benefiting from it, and you are here supporting us. So, what is the problem?

    “So, I want to thank you for supporting democracy. I want to thank you for ensuring that there is rule of law. I want to thank you for sticking your neck out to make sure that Rivers State still stands among the comity of States.”

    Governor Fubara appealed to everyone to return to their various LGAs, follow the process, be law abiding, and eschew violence.

    He also expressed appreciation to some leaders, who he described as very respectable and have name of honour because they can see the truth and stand by it boldly, as true patriots of the State.

    He added, “I want to thank you for standing with us and assure you that with your strength, we will continue to stand with the flag, and we will not let the flag of Rivers State down by any means.

    “So, let me conclude by assuring you again, don’t allow anybody, don’t allow any propaganda, don’t allow any aluta movement, and don’t allow any story from the pit of hell to deter your spirit at this point.

    “I am really happy that everyone is in high spirit. Be assured that the government will do everything to make sure that Rivers State is not put in any state of confusion,” he added.

  • Uncertainty beclouds Rivers LG election as PDP supporters protest

    Uncertainty beclouds Rivers LG election as PDP supporters protest

    Hundreds of supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, staged a protest at the head office of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Police Headquarters in Rivers, over Saturday’s local government election in the State.

    The protesters, who marched through Port Harcourt Aba road office of PDP, stopped at the Forces Avenue office of DSS from where they proceeded to the Moscow road Headquarters of the Nigerian Police.

    They were armed with placards with inscriptions such as “RSIEC obey court order”, “Rivers State is not lawless”, “Say no to impunity,”.

    The protesters expressed anger that despite court order and judgement the State electoral body is going ahead to conduct the election.

    One of the protesters, John Amadi, who spoke with our reporter at DSS office, said, they were there to inform them on the need to obey court order which barred them and the police from providing security during the election.

    “We are members of PDP and are here at DSS office to protest against the Saturday’s local government area election in Rivers State. There was a court judgement barring both the DSS and Police from providing security during the election. We want to let them know that PDP will not participate in the election and that the security agencies should equally obey the court order by not providing security for the election.”

    The protesters were received by the officials of both DSS and Police who advised them to maintain peace and not take laws into their hands.

    There is uncertainty over the Saturday’s local government elections.

    While RSIEC has insisted there is no going back in conducting the election, both APC and PDP have aid they will not participate in the election.

    Chief Tony Okocha-led faction of APC in the State on Wednesday said the party would not allow the election to hold.

    Okocha, who faulted Governor Similanayi Fubara’s insistence on going ahead with the election, said he would challenge what he described as governor’s impunity in disobeying court orders.

    He said the local government election law states that a 90-day period should be given for all political parties that want to participate in an election to prepare for the election.

    He said the governor violated the law by scheduling election within 30 days.

     

  • BREAKING: Fubara declares 2-day public holiday ahead LG polls

    BREAKING: Fubara declares 2-day public holiday ahead LG polls

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has declared Thursday and Friday, the 3rd and 4th of October 2024 as public holidays ahead of election set to hold across 23 local government areas in the State.

    Governor Fubara, who made this known in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, disclosed that the 2-day public holiday is to enable citizens to travel to their respective communities and participate in the forthcoming local government election.

    The Governor also placed a total restriction on vehicular and human movements into, within, and out of the State, and the local government areas, from midnight of Friday 4th October 2024 to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday 5th October 2024, except for persons and vehicles with valid identifications who are on election and other essential duties.

    The text of the broadcast reads: “My dear people of Rivers State, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the Chairmen and Councilors of the 23 Local Government Councils on the 17th of June 2023, I lawfully instituted Caretaker Committees to temporarily administer the 23 Local Government Areas pending when the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) would conduct the Local Government Elections in the State.

    “However, to entrench sustainable democracy and good governance in the country’s local government system, the Supreme Court of Nigeria by its judgement in SC/CV/343/2024: A-G Federation v A-G Abia State and 35 Ors delivered on 11 July 2024 effectively outlawed the administration of our local government councils with unelected officers and made several orders including the immediate stoppage of statutory allocations to Local Government Councils without democratically elected local government councils.

    “Following Mr President’s intervention, the period for compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment was graciously extended by three months, which will expire on the 15 of October 2024.

    “On the strength of these positive developments, I directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to take definite steps to conduct local government elections for the 23 local Government Councils of Rivers State.

    “Acting per this directive the RSIEC has since fixed and concluded all arrangements to conduct the Local Government Council election on Saturday 5th October 2024.

    “The legal impetus of RSIEC to conduct the local government elections was further strengthened by the judgment of the Rivers State High Court in Suit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024 delivered on the 4th of September 2024, which positively directed the Governor of Rivers State, the Government of Rivers State and the RSIEC to conduct the scheduled local government elections on the 5th of October 2025 using the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission’s Voters Register already in the custody of RSIEC.

    “As of today, RVSIEC has expressed and demonstrated concrete and verifiable capacity and readiness to conduct the 2024 Rivers State Local Government Elections on the 5th of October 2024.

    “As of today, 17 out of 18 registered political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, have expressly and actively demonstrated their willingness to participate by filling candidates with RSIEC for the election.

    “As of today, over 10 States in Nigeria have conducted Local Government Council Elections using the 2023 INEC Voters’ Register since the Supreme Court’s judgment and Rivers State cannot be an exception.

    “As the Governor of Rivers State, I swore to uphold the Constitution of Nigeria and abide by the rule of law and the principles of democracy.

    “Any failure on our part not to conduct the Local Government election would be a clear disobedience of the Supreme Court’s mandatory order that no State Government must administer the Local Government

    “Councils in Nigeria with unelected officers with the attendant consequence of the State and the people being denied the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government areas of the State.

    “The Rivers State Government would also be acting in contempt of the judgment of the High Court of Rivers State in Suit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024, which restrains the Governor, the State Government, and RSIEC from scuttling the conduct of the local government elections scheduled for October 5th, 2024.

    “Consequently, on the strengths of the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, the Supreme Court Judgment in SC/CV/343/2024, and the judgment of the High Court of Rivers State in Suit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024, I hereby reiterate that the Rivers State Government is irrevocably committed to conducting the local government elections on the 5th day of October 2024.

    “Against these backgrounds, I wish to assure every resident that the election for the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State shall be held on Saturday 5th October 2024 throughout the State.

    “The State Government has provided the necessary funds and logistics for RSIEC, which has assured me that it is fully prepared and ready to conduct and deliver a fair, free, and credible Local Government Council election as scheduled.

    “Therefore, I wish to advise and request all registered voters to go to their polling units to exercise their franchise by voting for the candidates of their choice as security personnel would be there to maintain order and ensure peaceful polls as a matter of constitutional duty.

    “We are leaving no stone unturned to enable all registered voters to travel to their communities to participate and peacefully exercise their civic responsibility at their polling units.

    “To this end, I hereby declare Thursday and Friday, the 3rd and 4th of October 2024 as public holidays for citizens to travel to their communities and participate in the election.

    “Furthermore, I hereby place a total restriction on vehicular and human movements into, within, and out of the State, and the Local Government Areas, from midnight of Friday 4th October 2024 to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday 5th October 2024, except for persons and vehicles valid identifications who are on election and other essential duties.

    “The police and other security agencies have clear directives from the State’s Security Council to arrest and prosecute any person or group who attempts to violate the restriction on human and vehicular movements on election day.

    “I wish to appreciate the State’s Security High Command for their cooperation and commitment to effectively secure the State and ensure peaceful trouble-free local government elections.

    “As citizens, we all owe our State the commitment to support the RSIEC to succeed in delivering on its constitutional duty to conduct a free, fair, and credible Local Government Council election to usher in a new set of democratically elected leaders to administer the 23 Local Government Councils. Thank you and may God bless Rivers State”.

  • Fubara foresees new political structure in Rivers

    Fubara foresees new political structure in Rivers

    Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State says the local government election slated for October 5 in the State will produce a new political structure that is people-oriented.

    The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nelson Chukwudi, quoted Fubara as saying this when  he received members of ‘The Simplicity Movement’ in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    The group was led by Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, a candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

    Responding to the level of public support demonstrated by the group, the governor promised to continue to defend the integrity of the state in the face of ongoing political challanges.

    “We must defend the dignity of our state, we must ensure that the commonwealth of this state belongs to everyone. This is the reason for our slogan ‘Rivers First’.

    ‘We believe that if we put the interest of the state above personal gains, we would have addressed the challanges associated with crime, hunger and unemployment,” the governor said.

    He urged the electorate to freely participate in the election. The governor also said that the election when concluded would help his administration chart the second phase of its struggle.

  • Defection: ‘We’ll teach you a lesson’, Wike mocks Fubara camp

    Defection: ‘We’ll teach you a lesson’, Wike mocks Fubara camp

    Ahead of the October 5 local government election in the state, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has mocked supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Peoples Party (APP)

    After Wike’s loyalists took control of the PDP in Rivers following the congress that held last month, Fubara reportedly directed his loyalists to contest the forthcoming election under APP.

    Speaking at a reception organized for him by a group, the Ijaw Peoples Assembly, in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, Wike expressed surprise that members of PDP loyal to the governor could defect to APP.

    He said: “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating of APP. It is not about money. Money does not move. You can have all the money but if there is no capacity there is no capacity.

    “All the things you see are people envious of our growth. We have defeated them severally and if opportunity comes again, we will defeat them

    “We have not started politics, when the time comes, we will play politics. Our job is politics. Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what is called politics.”

    Wike said it is not true that Ijaw people were fighting him but that few ungrateful people among the ethnic group is putting up such disposition.

    Wike described the crisis period in Rivers as a time for some people to enrich themselves, adding that such persons see the state government as a big market.

    But he said: “They are not fighting me. I am too big. If you don’t recognize someone bigger than you, know you are sick. I am far bigger and all of them put together they can’t withstand it”.

    Earlier the Director, Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Boma Iyaye, who spoke on behalf of the group, apologized to Wike and told him to disregard the misbehaviour of an individual and continue to relate with the Ijaw people.

    Iyaye appealed to Wike not to judge the Ijaws in Rivers through the behaviour of one person.

     

  • Rivers group sends stern warning to Wike’s loyalist over Clark comments

    Rivers group sends stern warning to Wike’s loyalist over Clark comments

    A Pan Rivers group known as One Rivers Initiative (ORI) has urged Mr Chidi Lloyd, one of the recently sacked chairmen of Local Government Areas in Rivers against disrespecting Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark. The group said this in a statement signed by Mr Victor Burubo, its Director, Media and Publicity on Monday in Abuja.

    Lloyd, a loyalist of FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, is one of the recently removed Local Government Chairmen in Rivers. Their political bloc is in a face-off with Gov. Siminalayi Fubara. Burubo said the group noted with a sense of outrage the attempts by Lloyd to discredit Fubara after Clark condemned Wike’s threats to distabilise states whose governors support Fubara.

    “The ORI condemns this irreverent and crude insults directed at the person of Chief E.K Clark. No sane person with solid African parentage will resort to such rude and reckless verbal attacks on a man like Clark, who is 96 years old, and has served Nigeria creditably for many decades’’, he said.

    Lloyd, a loyal of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, while reacting to Clark’s letter to the I-G against his principal said Clark flayed Fubara’s candidature during the primaries because he was not a true Ijaw man.

    “He should be in his village and not in Abuja. We have restrained ourselves from talking to an old man. To set the record straight, if Edwin Clark is truly who he thinks he is, he should be living in his village in Kiagbodo.

    “He is one reason why the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not achieved anything since inception because he sees it as his personal estate. Clark is still under the megalomania of thinking that he is the Asiwaju of the Niger Delta.

    “At this age, Clark should be reconciling with those he has hurt. He should leave Wike alone,”Lloyd, who was fired by Fubara as the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, said

  • How wanted ‘criminal’ bombed Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt

    How wanted ‘criminal’ bombed Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt

    The suspect behind the June 25 dynamite explosion at the Rivers State-owned Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt was on police ‘Wanted List” before the incident.

    Recall a dynamite explosion happened on June 25 near  Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt during a protest by some persons over the tenure of the local government chairmen in the state.

    SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the command, in a statement on Sunday said:” Preye Josiah has been on  our wanted list prior to the incident”.

    She said that the suspect, after detonating explosives and injuring himself in the blast, went to the hospital for treatment, where medical staff recognised him.

    “Josiah, 40, from Kabiama community of Sagbama Local Government Area, detonated the IED along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.

    “He was immediately arrested after the explosion and is receiving treatment for serious injuries,” she said.

    Iringe-Koko accused Josiah of involvement in multiple armed robberies in the state from 2012 and 2016, including high-profile bank heists led by one Daniel Gogo, alias Full Payment.

    “Previously evasive, Josiah has been identified as the dynamite detonating expert of the robbery gang and is a member of the Vikings Confraternity.

    “He has confessed to detonating the dynamite at the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway,” she added.

    She said that police detectives were actively pursuing leads to identify Josiah’s accomplices and sponsors behind the explosion.

    In a related development, the police disclosed details regarding the Aug. 5 bombing of the Action Peoples Party (APP) secretariate in GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt.

    Iringe-Koko reported that two men planted and detonated the IED around 1 a.m. that day.

    “Investigation revealed that the suspects exited a car, walked to the building, ignited the device, and threw it at the secretariate before driving off.

    “Our Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad later identified a crater in front of the building where the device was placed, causing shockwaves and damaging the building,” she explained.

    She said that no casualties were reported, and samples of the IED residue have been collected for forensic analysis.

    Iringe-Koko stated that the command has intensified its efforts to apprehend those responsible for attack.

  • Rivers APC crisis deepens over reinstated SEC

    Rivers APC crisis deepens over reinstated SEC

    The political crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has assumed a new dimension, following the reinstatement of Chief Emeke Beke-led State Executive Committee (SEC).

    A Rivers State High Court judgement had reinstated the Chief Beke-led SEC. However, the APC insists it is not bound by the judgement, stressing that it was never a party to the suit.

    Mr Festus Fuanter, the party’s Deputy National Secretary, made this statement while speaking to journalists on Thursday in Abuja, following the National Working Committee (NWC) closed-door meeting.

    The Rivers High Court had dismissed the APC Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee and reinstated the dissolved Beke-led executive.

    Fuanter explained that Beke, who was reinstated by the court, had previously been removed by another court and had filed an appeal but chose not to await its outcome, instead engaging in an abuse of court processes.

    “We wish to categorically state and inform the public that the APC is not bound by the judgment delivered by the Rivers High Court in Suit No: PHC 3592 CS. 2023, which reinstated the dissolved State Executive Committee.

    “The claimant in the said case sued the national chairman and national secretary, but not the party itself. You cannot sue an agent of a disclosed principal.

    “Furthermore, there is a valid and subsisting court judgment against Chief Emeka Beke and Iheanyichukwu Azubuike, former Rivers APC Chairman and Legal Adviser, respectively, wherein they were removed from office,” he explained.

    The APC Deputy National Secretary added that a court judgment, ruling, or order was not binding on a person or organisation that was not a party to the suit.

    He emphasised that, in light of this, the party only recognised its Tony Okocha-led Rivers Caretaker Committee, established to oversee its affairs in the state.

    He confirmed that the party’s NWC had scheduled its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for September 12, subject to the approval of President Bola Tinubu, the party’s national leader.

    According to Fuanter, the NWC discussed the issue and agreed that the party’s Caucus will meet on September 11 ahead of its NEC meeting.

  • Tinubu’s appointees fingered for crisis in Rivers as Fubara swears in 5 new commissioners

    Tinubu’s appointees fingered for crisis in Rivers as Fubara swears in 5 new commissioners

    Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has sworn in five new commissioners and two special advisers to serve in the State Executive Council.

    The newly sworn in commissioners are Mr Ilamu Abua, Dr Roland Obed-Whyte, Mr Austin Nadozie, Mr Samuel Eyiba, and Dr Samuel Anya. Sworn-in as special advisers were, Mr Forgive Amachree and Mr Achor Nna.

    Speaking during the event, Fubara urged the new officers to work towards achieving the objectives of his administration. He reiterated his administration’s commitment towards implementing projects that would have direct positive impacts on Rivers people.

    “You are joining us to work towards meeting the expectations of Rivers people irrespective of the distractions,” he said.

    The Governor urged them to see their appointments as an opportunity to serve the state, and not an opportunity to make economic gains.

    He further urged the new appointees to add value to the state executive council by contributing ideas that would promote good governance.

    ‘”Governance is about the provision of quality and people-oriented services. It is about improving the people’s quality of life.

    “This administration remains focused and deeply determined to deliver on its responsibility.

    “As a government, we are poised to justify the support we are receiving from our people,” he said.

    Rivers indigenes in FG responsible for political crisis – Coalition

    Meanwhile, the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought has blamed the lingering political crisis in the South-South state on indigenes appointed into Federal Government positions.

    Chief Sunnie Chukwumela, who spoke on behalf of the leaders at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said that people on President Bola Tinubu’s appointment were collaborating with former lawmakers to attack Gov. Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.

    He claimed that such persons had constituted a faction in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    Chukwumela said that the group had been led out of the political party on whose platform they won election.

    “They have moved to another party which made them to lose their seats as legislators,” he said.

    He accused the leader of the group of going to court to stop revenue accruals to the state.

    “That action is intended to starve the state of funds to be deployed for welfare and security of residents,” he said.

    He decried recent incidents like the bombing of the Action Peoples Party secretariat and shootings at the GRA, Port HArcourt.

    Others include the local government chairmen’s refusal to vacate seats when their tenure had elapsed.

    Chukwumela frowned at recent outbursts by Chief Tony Okocha, a leader of the All Progressives Congress in the state, accusing Fubara of sponsoring the recent protests.

    He urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to the crisis in Rivers as its silence could be interpreted as supporting it.

    “Ignoring the Rivers crisis could be seen as lending tacit support to those trying to capture and control the state’s resources,” he said.

    He accused Rivers indigenes holding top positions in the central government of “misrepresenting President Bola Tinubu and what we have known him to stand for, as a true democrat”.

    ‘’These men are beginning to paint you in bad light; you are the father of the nation and we pray you to act now.

    ‘’This is a clarion call by the people of Rivers; we want our President to swing into action and protect the lives and property of the people and residents,’’ he said.

    Chukwumela urged the police to be more professional in the handling of issues in the state, while urging the FCT minister to concentrate on the good works he was doing in Abuja.

    He declared that the leaders were happy with the Fubara administration so far, and would fight to defend his leadership.

  • BREAKING: Mayhem in Rivers as bomb explosion rocks Action Peoples Party secretariat

    BREAKING: Mayhem in Rivers as bomb explosion rocks Action Peoples Party secretariat

    The Police Command in Rivers has confirmed the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the Action Peoples Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt.

    The explosion occurred around 1 a.m. on Monday, causing significant damage on the building but SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers, disclosed that no lives were lost in the incident.

    She said that the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit had been deployed to sweep the scene.

    “We are aware of the explosion at APP secretariat and our bomb unit has been dispatched to ascertain what happened. No life was lost and investigation is underway. We will share the findings with the public soon,” she confirmed.

    The police image maker said that Police Commissioner in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, and his management team also visited the scene to assess the damage.

    Iringe-Koko told NAN that the investigation was still ongoing and promised to provide findings once concluded.

    IPAC condemns explosion at APP headquarters in Rivers State

    Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has strongly condemned the bombing of the APP headquarters in Rivers State.

    The Council’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinyere Marvelous Kalu in a statement on behalf of the leadership noted that the act has not only caused panic and terrorized peaceful residents but also a threat to the nation’s political stability.

    It added that as the umbrella body of all political parties in Nigeria and a champion of unbroken democracy in the country, IPAC is deeply troubled by the escalating trend of political violence and terrorism.

    IPAC, therefore appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address the menace, which the council said poses a significant threat to democratic values and national security.