There is rising tension in Rivers State, Nigeria, following an early Saturday morning attack on the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Port Harcourt. Reports indicate that explosives, suspected to be dynamite, were used in the attack, damaging the main gate, security post, and parts of a nearby building. This incident occurred just hours before scheduled local government elections in the state, heightening concerns.
Chief Tony Okocha, chairman of the APC caretaker committee, attributed the attack to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. According to Okocha, a second attempt to set the secretariat on fire was foiled by security personnel stationed at the gate.
The APC, the main opposition in Rivers State, had earlier announced that it would not participate in the local government elections. Interestingly, the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also announced its decision to abstain from the elections, adding to the political tension in the region.
The incident underscores the volatile nature of politics in Rivers State, especially around elections.