Tension continues to rise in Rivers State following a suspected explosion that hit the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred at the factional secretariat of the APC, led by Chief Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, leaving residents shocked and raising concerns over the safety of political actors and the general public in the state.
Eyewitnesses and video clips circulating on social media show extensive damage to the main gate, security post, and sections of the building, which are believed to have been caused by explosives, possibly dynamites, used in the attack.
In a brief statement, Chief Tony Okocha accused supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of masterminding the attack on the party secretariat. “In the wee hours of Saturday, pro-Fubara civilian soldiers detonated dynamites at our office. The second attempt to set it ablaze was foiled as the security at the gate quickly put out the fire,” Okocha claimed.
The attack comes at a critical time when the APC announced its withdrawal from the ongoing local government elections in Rivers State, citing unresolved legal issues as the reason for its decision. It remains unclear what message the suspected arsonists intended to convey by carrying out this attack.
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Political Tensions Heightened Ahead Local Government Elections
The incident has further heightened political tensions in Rivers State as the local government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024. The elections have been marred by controversy, legal battles, and accusations of manipulation, contributing to a volatile political atmosphere in the state.
In response to the developing situation, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State has reaffirmed its commitment to participating as election observers. Speaking at a press conference held late on Friday at the NBA Building in Port Harcourt, the Chairperson of the Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia U. Eke, read a communique signed by all eight NBA branch chairpersons in Rivers State.
The NBA declared that there is no legal impediment preventing the local government elections from proceeding as scheduled and assured that its members will be on the ground to monitor the electoral process.
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NBA’s Stand On Rivers State Local Government Elections
Eke emphasized that local government elections are a constitutional exercise and must proceed as part of the democratic process. “Given the forthcoming elections in Rivers State, on behalf of the eight Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in the State, we wish to state as follows: 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),” she said.
The NBA leadership noted that while several court judgments have been issued regarding the Rivers State Local Government Elections, many of these rulings have been subject to varied interpretations, leading to confusion. However, the association stressed that the Constitution remains the supreme legal authority, and any law or judgment inconsistent with it is null and void.
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Calls For Calm Amid Rising Tensions
The chairperson of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA urged residents and registered voters in Rivers State to remain calm, law-abiding, and exercise their right to vote on election day. She also called on security agencies to fulfill their constitutional duty of maintaining law and order to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
“We also emphasize that any law or judgment that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is null and void, to the extent of its inconsistency. Security agencies have the constitutional duty of maintaining law and order in the country, but if they choose to abdicate their constitutional role, it ridicules our democracy and our Constitution,” Eke stated.
The NBA’s position comes amid fears that the attack on the APC secretariat could lead to further violence and disrupt the upcoming elections. The association’s leadership has appealed to all parties involved to allow the democratic process to play out peacefully.
As Rivers State braces for the local government elections, political analysts and stakeholders are keeping a close watch on developments, hoping that the authorities will take swift action to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral exercise devoid of violence and intimidation.
Source: Vanguard