Explosions, gunshots abort APC rally in Rivers

THREE explosions and staccato gunshots conspired to abort the APC rally in Okrika, Rivers State. The rally was holding at National Secondary School, Okrika hometown of the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside. No casualty has been reported yet but many people sustained injuries in the stampede.

However, the police on duty were able to maintain the peace prompting the supporters who had deserted the venue to return.

But barely minutes after order was restored and the dignitaries seated, unidentified gun men appeared in every direction shooting sporadically into the air. This forced supporters to run for safety. Security men at the venue advised supporters to squat and hunch their bodies in order not to be hit by bullets.

The dignitaries were quickly whisked away in the pandemonium that ensued.

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party,(PDP) Rivers State has disassociated herself from the reported violence and called for peace in the state .

A statement issued in Port Harcourt by Barr Emma Okah, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Organisation condemned the act and urged  the Police and other security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to book. 

According to Mr Okah, nobody should encourage violence in our polity. The PDP is a peace loving Party and believes that everybody should be given equal opportunity in all parts of the Country to hold rally and canvass for votes.  

“Violence does not end well and it is for that reason that we have continued to encourage our PDP members to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the recurring cases of provocation by the APC in Rivers State and many parts of the Country”, he said.