The All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat located along the Port Harcourt-Aba road in Rivers State has been shattered by an explosion, suspected to have been caused by dynamite. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, has left significant damage to the party’s secretariat.
Our sources confirmed that the explosion destroyed the main gate, shattered windows, and left several parts of the building, including doors, in ruins. The attack has heightened tensions in the state, especially as it is the second such incident targeting the Chief Tony Okocha-led APC secretariat this year.
The timing of the explosion is particularly significant as it coincides with the local government elections in Rivers State, which commenced today. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had only the day before, on Friday, assured the public that all sensitive electoral materials had been distributed across various local government areas (LGAs) in preparation for the polls.
A viral video, circulating widely on social media, shows workers surveying the damage at the APC secretariat, with debris scattered around the premises. The extent of the destruction has raised concerns over the security situation in the state, particularly with the ongoing election.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she had yet to receive an official report on the explosion. However, law enforcement authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the incident. Iringe-Koko also reassured the public that the police would ensure security during the local government elections, despite the unsettling development.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the explosion. The party leadership, led by Chief Tony Okocha, has been notably silent on the repeated attacks targeting their secretariat, which many believe are politically motivated.
This latest attack has further compounded the already volatile political atmosphere in Rivers State, where political tensions have run high in recent months. The state has been a hotbed of political rivalry, with various factions within the APC and opposition parties vying for dominance, particularly in light of the ongoing local elections.
Political observers have raised concerns that the attack may have been an attempt to intimidate the party and disrupt the election process. Rivers State has long been known for its intense political competition, and this incident is likely to heighten fears of election-related violence in the state. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, speculations abound as to whether the explosion was carried out by rival political factions or other criminal elements seeking to destabilize the election.
The APC’s silence on the matter has left many questions unanswered, especially considering that this is the second attack on the party’s secretariat in 2024. With local government elections in progress, some are calling for increased security measures around political offices and polling units to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of voters and electoral officials.
