Victor EzejaThe All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Inspector General of Police to order an urgent investigation into the incident that led to the attack on its members in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State on Monday.
The ruling party made the call in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, 5th April, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Barr Felix Mouka.
The party which condemned the attack in strong terms alleged that it was carried out by thugs working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Recall that crisis ensued between members of the PDP and APC on Monday when both parties visited the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state to inspect materials used in the 18th March Governorship and State Assembly election.
The crisis led to the death of one person, who was hit by a stray bullet while scores of people were injured.
The APC accused the PDP of using thugs to attack the party’s governorship candidate in the election, Mr Tonye Cole, his deputy, Dr Innocent Barikor, and state party chairman, Mr Emeka Beke, among other party officials when they went to obtain the Certified True Copies (CTC) of documents used in the election, to enable them to prepare their petition against the outcome of the polls.
READ ALSO: 2023 Polls: 7 APC Governors Who Got Reelected
Part of the statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) condemns, in the strongest terms, the attack on some of its leaders and members in Port Harcourt on Monday, April 3, 2023, by thugs and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“This barbaric and unprovoked attack occurred during a visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office by Mr Tonye Cole, APC Governorship Candidate, Dr Innocent Barikor, Deputy Governorship Candidate, Mr Emeka Beke, State Chairman of the Party and 3 other party officials to obtain the Certified True Copies (CTC) of vital documents in the March 18 Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
“Without warning, thugs and supporters of the PDP descended on our Party officials, inflicting severe and life-threatening injuries on them, and damaging personal and party properties.
“This premeditated attack by PDP thugs and operatives on our officials and members in Port Harcourt is yet another in what has now become an orgy of violence carried out with mind-boggling audacity, and with absolutely no serious investigation by the police or repercussions for the instigators and perpetrators of this serial violence.”
The party claimed that the latest attack on its members was an attempt to prevent them from having access to vital documents needed to challenge the outcome of the election in which the PDP candidate, Sim Fubara, was declared the winner.
“Ostensibly, this latest attack was aimed at frustrating the effort of our Governorship Candidate to obtain vital documents to exercise his constitutional right to challenge the declared result of the Governorship election in the state.
“For the PDP that claims to have won the election to resort to this level of violence to block a legitimate legal challenge tells a different story of a party sitting precariously on needles and pins in the face of prospects of a legal challenge by our Governorship Candidate.
“While we commend the swift response of security agencies, especially the Police and the Nigerian Army in restoring peace and order in the wake of this brutal attack, again, we call on the Inspector General of Police to order an urgent and thorough investigation into this and previous incidents of violent attacks on leaders and members of our Party in Rivers State and to bring the sponsors and perpetrators to justice,” Muoka stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
Follow Us