Anita Ogona
Rivers State Thrown Into Panic As Gunmen Open Fire At Security Guard In APP Secretariat Gunmen have reportedly shot a security guard at the Action Peoples Party (APP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The attack, which occurred at midnight, comes less than a month after the party’s secretariat in the New GRA of Port Harcourt was bombed. Addressing journalists at the scene of the attack on Wednesday, Sunny Wokekoro, the state chairman of the APP, stated that the details surrounding the shooting remain unclear. He confirmed that the injured security guard is currently receiving medical attention at a hospital.
Wokekoro expressed concern about the police’s ability to identify the culprits, as they have yet to disclose any findings from the bombing incident that occurred a month ago.
Despite the challenges, he assured that the attacks will not deter the APP from participating in next month’s local government elections. Hospital staff did not allow journalists to speak with the injured guard, but the APP chairman reiterated the party’s resolve to move forward with its activities, undeterred by the violence
The Action Peoples Party (APP) has condemned the attack on the Rivers State Party secretariat by unknown hoodlums, barely three weeks after an explosive attack on the secretariat.
He said, “You all recall that about a month ago, soon after our state party office was unveiled by our national chairman and his team, the party secretariat was attacked, and Tuesday night, almost about the same time, the place was attacked again.”
“We received a call between 11:30 PM Tuesday and 12:00 AM Wednesday that one of our gate guards was shot. He is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”
Hon. Wokekoro revealed that “we made efforts throughout last night to contact the police officers stationed at the party secretariat to ensure the safety of the secretariat and all party members. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach the inspector in charge. We called him multiple times, but he has not returned our call.”.
According to him, the continuous assault on the Action Peoples Party is a result of the opposition’s apprehension towards the party’s growing popularity in Rivers State and the significant support it is garnering from the residents.
He stated that “”our party has become a major force to reckon with in Rivers State. This fact alone is likely to provoke envy from those who think they own the state. However, the truth is that we are a formidable party, and our activities are ongoing here on a daily basis.”
“In fact, we are experiencing an influx of people from other parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, and APC. They are all joining our party. I’m not sure if that is a sufficient reason for anyone to act in the way they are.”.
Hon. Wokekoro advised against engaging in divisive politics, emphasizing that politics should not be associated with warfare. “All of us should participate in politics with a sense of morality and integrity, even when tempted by money or power. There is no issue worth sacrificing anyone’s life. It is a reality that individuals will have varying ideologies and affiliations with different political parties, but this should not automatically create enmity.”
While emphasizing that the attack cannot be tolerated, Hon. Wokekoro urged the Nigeria Police Force to quickly launch an investigation into the attack and apprehend those responsible. “We do not believe it is wise or advisable for anyone to resort to such violence in politics. We are unaware of the reasons behind it, but we anticipate that the police will conduct an investigation and inform us of the immediate or underlying cause of the incident that occurred last night.”
Press Unit, Action Peoples Party
5 September 2024
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