Tensions have escalated in Rivers State as the headquarters of the Action People’s Party (APP) was rocked by a powerful explosion in the early hours of Monday morning.
The incident, which occurred around 2 am, nearly claimed the life of the party’s National Chairman, Uche Nnadi, who reportedly escaped death by a narrow margin.
The explosion has sparked a wave of accusations, with the opposition coalition pointing fingers at supporters of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, as the masterminds behind the attack.
Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a Federal Lawmaker representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency in Imo State, and the spokesperson for the opposition coalition, CUPP, issued a strongly worded statement just hours after the blast.
Ugochinyere alleged that the group supporting Minister Wike was responsible for the bombing, which he described as a desperate attempt to destabilize the political landscape in Rivers State.
“Political extremists and terrorists who are desperate to make Rivers State ungovernable bombed the party headquarters, which was just renovated ahead of the Rivers LGA Election, in which the APP is tipped to win by a landslide as the party of popular choice in Rivers State,” Ugochinyere stated in his message.
The APP has provided photographic and video evidence to substantiate their claims of targeted destruction. The attack marks the third bombing incident that the opposition has attributed to pro-Wike elements, whom they accuse of trying to render Rivers State ungovernable.
In his statement, Ugochinyere called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action, urging him to direct security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the attack. He warned that failure to do so could have dire consequences for Nigeria’s democracy.
“Let the security agencies immediately fish out the perpetrators of these dastardly acts, which are acts of national terrorism capable of bombing our democracy if not checked. Act now, Mr. President, as the history of your action or inaction will be recorded for you,” Ugochinyere urged.
The opposition has also raised concerns about the lack of action following previous bombings in Port Harcourt, which they claim were also orchestrated by the same pro-Wike group.
Ugochinyere emphasized that these continued acts of violence are a direct threat to the democratic process, especially with the upcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
As the dust settles from this latest attack, the call for a thorough investigation grows louder, with political observers and citizens alike waiting to see how the government will respond to this escalating crisis.
The situation in Rivers State remains tense, with the potential for further unrest as political rivalries continue to heat up ahead of the elections.