Rivers police command has confirmed the attack on the secretariat of the state chapter of Action Peoples Party, APP.
The spokesperson of the command, Mrs Grace Irienge- Koko who confirmed the development to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Thursday said the bullet that hit a security guard at the Secretariat was shot from a distance and not that the victim was targetted.
The PPRO said, ” It wasnot an attack as people were made to believe. It was not targetted at the secretariat. The bullet came from a distance and torched the secretariat and the victim”, she explained.
She also disclosed that the police command has launched investigation into the incident.
It would be recalled that the same party secretariat was attacked with an explosive device recently by unknown arsonists.
Meanwhile, the Action Peoples Party (APP) has condemned the attack by unknown hoodlums, barely three weeks after an explosive attack on the secretariat.
The party has also maintained that it is not threatened by the attacks, describing the party as a moving train that cannot be stopped.
The Rivers State Chairman of the party , Hon. Sunny Wokekoro in his reaction to the incident on Thursday said:
“You all recall that about a month ago, soon after our state party office was unveiled by our national chairman and his team, the party secretariat was attacked, and Tuesday night, almost about the same time, the place was attacked again.”
“We received a call between 11:30 PM Tuesday and 12:00 AM Wednesday that one of our gate guards was shot. He is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”
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Hon. Wokekoro further said,”we made efforts throughout last night to contact the police officers stationed at the party secretariat to ensure the safety of the secretariat and all party members. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach the inspector in charge. We called him multiple times, but he has not returned our call.”.
According to him, the continuous assault on the Action Peoples Party is a result of the opposition’s apprehension towards the party’s growing popularity in Rivers State and the significant support it is garnering from the residents.
He stated “”Our party has become a major force to reckon with in Rivers State. This fact alone is likely to provoke envy from those who think they own the state. However, the truth is that we are a formidable party, and our activities are ongoing here on a daily basis.”
“In fact, we are experiencing an influx of people from other parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, and APC. They are all joining our party. I’m not sure if that is a sufficient reason for anyone to act in the way they are.”.
Hon. Wokekoro advised against engaging in divisive politics, emphasizing that politics should not be associated with warfare.
“All of us should participate in politics with a sense of morality and integrity, even when tempted by money or power. There is no issue worth sacrificing anyone’s life. It is a reality that individuals will have varying ideologies and affiliations with different political parties, but this should not automatically create enmity.”
While emphasizing that the attack cannot be tolerated, Hon. Wokekoro urged the Nigeria Police Force to quickly launch an investigation into the attack and apprehend those responsible.
“We do not believe it is wise or advisable for anyone to resort to such violence in politics. We are unaware of the reasons behind it, but we anticipate that the police will conduct an investigation and inform us of the immediate or underlying cause of the incident that occurred last night.”
There are speculations that Gov Sim Fubara who is having a running battle with the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike over the control of PDP structure in the state is intent on joining the APP with his supporters .
The attacks on the party secretariat is seen by observers as a ploy to scare potential members most of who are expected to be from the PDP.
