Thugs in Rivers vandalise venue of APC’s governorship rally

The hostility in the political terrain of Rivers state continued on Saturday, as thugs believed to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegedly vandalized the National School Field Okrika, the proposed venue for the governorship campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okrika is the hometown of Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s first lady.

According to Christian Asifamaka, chairman of APC in Okrika, armed men stormed the school around 3:45am, using dynamite to destroy some equipment that were to be used for the party’s governorship campaign.

He wondered why the rally of his party could be disrupted when the PDP held its own governorship rally at the same venue on Thursday.

The first lady, who is strongly in support of the aspiration of Nyesom Wike, the PDP flagbearer in the state, attended Thursday’s campaign in Okrika.

Asifamaka explained that those preparing the school for the campaign had to flee for their lives.

“In the wee hours of the morning of Saturday 24, 2015 at about 3.45am, some armed youths started shooting at the venue of the APC governorship rally National School Field Okrika,” he said.

“At about 4am, they started shooting explosives into the arena; they destroyed the podium, sound equipment and some canopies.

“The boys came in a white Hiace bus and allegedly came in from Igbiri, a community that shares borders with Mrs. Jonathan’s Oba Ama community. Those setting up the sound system and the podium were forced to flee for their lives.”

Dan Bature, the police commissioner of the state, also confirmed the attack, advising the party to reschedule the rally.

“The podium and public address system were damaged but no life was lost,” he said.

“The area is now under police control while the bomb disposal unit has commenced investigation.”

He warned political parties to adhere strictly to the code of conduct guiding political activities in the state, show respect for law and order, and eschew violence in all its ramifications.

“The command is determined to enforce law and order, provide adequate security for all political parties and ensure that the full wrath of law is visited on any person or persons who dare and wish to test our capability,” he said.

Since the campaign for the general election kicked-off weeks back, Rivers state has recorded the highest number of violent incidents in the country.

On January 6, when Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of APC flagged off his campaign in the state, one person died   and many others were seriously injured when armed youths shot at vehicles conveying members of the party from Asari-Toru and Khana local government areas to the venue of the programme.

The party’s office in Okrika was also earlier attacked with dynamites, while members of both parties have engaged in different clashes.