Photo: Dynamite Explosion Rocks APP Secretariat in Rivers State Ahead of Local Government Election
In the early hours of Monday, August 12, 2024, a dynamite explosion rocked the secretariat of the Action People’s Party (APP) along the GRA axis of Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State. The incident occurred around 1 a.m., shattering windows and doors, and destroying other property belonging to the party.
According to sources, the explosion was caused by assailants who allegedly threw substances believed to be dynamite into the building housing the secretariat. The blast damaged the ceiling and fittings in the building, leaving party officials in panic.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident and dispatched its bomb disposal squad to assess the situation and determine the source of the explosive substance. The spokesperson for the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that the police are investigating the matter.
The explosion is believed to be politically motivated, coming amidst speculations that State Governor Siminalayi Fubara plans to move with his supporters to the APP following the alleged hijack of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state by his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
Party officials have condemned the attack, calling on the police to investigate and arrest the culprits. The incident has raised concerns about the deteriorating political situation in the state.
Federal Government Stands on Insecurity
In a related development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the country is on the path to becoming self-sufficient in the production of military hardware. This was revealed by the Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, during a briefing on Monday as part of the activities marking the 60th anniversary of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The anniversary celebrations, which began on August 9, are expected to usher in a new era for DICON as a military industrial complex, following the recent signing of the new DICON Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 23, 2023.
As the investigation into the explosion continues, the Rivers State Police Command has assured the public that it is committed to ensuring a peaceful and fair electoral process for the upcoming local government election.
