Tension surged in Rivers State early Saturday morning as suspected arsonists detonated explosives at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The attack occurred just hours before the state’s local government elections, adding to the political unrest that has gripped the state in recent weeks.
The explosion, suspected to be caused by dynamites, severely damaged the main gate, the security post, and parts of the APC secretariat building.
A short video circulating on social media captured the aftermath, with debris scattered across the entrance.
Chief Tony Okocha, the factional caretaker committee chairman of the Rivers APC, quickly pointed fingers at supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“At the wee hours of Saturday, pro-Fubara civilian soldiers detonated dynamites at our office,” Okocha alleged in a statement. “The second attempt to set it ablaze was foiled as the security at the gate quickly put out the fire.”
Okocha’s faction had earlier announced its withdrawal from the local government election, citing legal reasons. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but tensions have escalated in the lead-up to the polls.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has confirmed its full participation as observers in the October 5, 2024, local government elections in Rivers State.
Despite the controversies and court rulings surrounding the elections, the NBA stated that there is no legal barrier preventing the polls from taking place.
In a communique issued on Friday, Cordelia U. Eke, Chairperson of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA, emphasized that statutory bodies, including election commissions, cannot be stopped from carrying out their constitutional duties.
“Local government elections are part of the democratic process of Nigeria as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” Eke said.
She further highlighted the need for constitutional adherence, adding that “any law or judgment that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is null and void, to the extent of its inconsistency.”
Eke also addressed the role of security agencies, criticizing their refusal to maintain law and order during the elections.
“Security agencies have the constitutional duty of maintaining law and order in the country, but if they choose to abdicate their constitutional role, then it ridicules our democracy and our Constitution,” she said.
The NBA urged Rivers State residents to exercise their right to vote peacefully, despite the ongoing political tension.
“We encourage all registered voters to go out on Election Day and exercise their franchise,” Eke said, while calling for a peaceful and law-abiding electoral process.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the explosion, but the incident has heightened the already tense political climate in Rivers State.
Security remains on high alert as the local government elections proceed.