There are claims that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may soon dump the Peoples Democratic Party for the Action People’s Party.
The National Chairman of the Action People’s Party, Uche Nnadi, gave the hint while fielding questions from newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Nnadi was reacting to the bombing of the APP secretariat located in the GRA axis of Port Harcourt early on Monday morning, describing the incident as treasonable and an act of terrorism by those he dubbed criminal elements.
He said the incident occurred a few minutes after some members of the party left the office after a meeting at midnight of Sunday, expressing happiness that God spared their lives.
“It is really a sad day for democracy. We condemn in strong terms the bombing of our Rivers State chapter secretariat. It is a heinous act. It is an act of terrorism, a treasonable act.
“We thank God Almighty who spared the lives of our members. Immediately they left after a strategic meeting in the dead of the night, this heinous act was carried out.
“God spared the lives of our members so that we did not lose anyone to these criminal elements,” Nnadi stated.
While linking the bombing to the political crisis that had plagued the state in the last one year, Nnadi said it also had to do with the local government election in the state scheduled for October 5, 2024, where he said the party was poised to make a statement.
“We are all aware of what is happening in Rivers State, that it is all about seizing the treasury of Rivers State. We know this is not the first time this act of terrorism is happening.
“We have had incidents of bombing before. We are calling on Mr President, the heads of security agencies to go after these criminal elements whose interest is to instil fear, instil violence in Rivers State.
“As a party, we are not deterred. We are sure that they are getting the signal of Rivers people joining our party en masse in preparation for the forthcoming local government elections and they want to undermine this good policy of our amiable Governor of Rivers State, who wants to conduct local government election.”
According to Nnadi, the attack was in furtherance of the plot by the opposition to frustrate the LG polls.
“We know how they have been shopping for one order or the other in all the courts in the federation trying to stop the forthcoming local government elections.
“They have seen that they have not be able to achieve that and have now resorted to violence. They want to stop the process and the good policies of the governor at all costs.
“But I’m sure the good people of Rivers State know that the intention of the governor is for the welfare and the well-being of the populace.
“So we condemn this act. We call upon Mr President, the heads of security agencies to go after these people who are behind this act of criminality, fish them out and let them face the law.
“We also call on our members and supporters in Rivers State not to be deterred but to rally around the party. Our state chairman is here and he is a strong political force.
“And by his presence and personality, the people will know that the Action People’s Party is the party to beat in the forthcoming local government elections. Their aim is to deter us but I know that our people will not give up.”
Our correspondent reports that speculations are rife that Governor Fubara’s planned move is due to the alleged hijack of the PDP structure in the state by his predecessor and estranged political godfather, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
To this effect, the governor allegedly intends to move with his supporters to the APP.
When contacted over the speculations, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said though his principal had recently expressed disappointment with the action of the PDP, he could not speak the governor’s mind.
Johnson stated, “I don’t want to speak on something I’m not sure of. So, if you allow me, I will find out by tomorrow and give you the position.
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