Explosion rocks Rivers APP secretariat

Party’s national chairman condemns blast
A devastating dynamite explosion, yesterday, ripped through the Action People’s Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, leaving a trail of destruction and sparking fears of escalating political violence.

It was learned that the assailants hurled the explosives into the building, located along the GRA axis, in a brazen attack that has raised concerns about the safety of political parties in the region.

The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but authorities are racing to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

However, the blast, which occurred amid rumours of a potential defection by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his supporters to the APP, shattered windows, doors, and destroyed property, sending shockwaves through the political landscape.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the party, Uchenna Nnadi, has described the bombing as a “heinous act of terrorism” and a “treasonable act.”

Speaking in an interview with journalists at the scene of the incident, yesterday, Nnadi condemned the attack, which occurred after a strategic meeting of party members. He thanked God that no life was lost.

Nnadi alleged that the bombing was part of a larger plot by those who, according to him, are hell-bent on seizing the treasury of Rivers State.

He added that the act was to undermine the governor’s plans to conduct local council elections.

He said: “It is a sad day for democracy. In the strongest terms, we condemn bombing the Rivers State Secretariat of our party. It is a heinous act; it is an act of terrorism, and it is treasonable.”

“We thank God almighty for sparing the lives of our members. Immediately they left after a strategic meeting in the dead of the night, this heinous act was carried out.

“We are all aware of what is happening in the state.  It is all about seizing the treasury of Rivers State. We know that this is not the first time this act of terrorism has happened; we have had incidents of bombing before.”

Nnadi, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to go after the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The APP chairman gave assurance that the party would not be deterred, urging members and supporters to rally around the party.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, visited the scene of the bombing for an on-the-spot assessment, promising a thorough investigation.

Disu revealed that his team was deployed to the area immediately after the incident, and a bomb squad was sent to assess the situation.