On January 19, 2023, the Rivers APC 2023 Campaign Council issued a scathing statement condemning what it described as an unprovoked attack on its governorship campaign rally in Rumuwoji Town, Mile 1, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. According to Sogbeye C. Eli, the council’s spokesman, the assault was carried out by hundreds of armed thugs allegedly led by Allwell Ihunwo, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, and Victor Ihunwo, a former mayor. The attack, which involved the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), locally known as dynamite, left five APC supporters with severe injuries, raising alarm about escalating political violence in Rivers State.
Allegations of PDP Involvement
The Rivers APC pointed a direct finger at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing it of orchestrating the attack to disrupt their campaign efforts. Eli’s statement, circulated to journalists, claimed that the violence followed explicit threats by PDP-affiliated thugs to block the APC from accessing the traditional grounds at Rumuwoji for the rally. Despite a formal report filed with the Mile 1 Police Station, no arrests had been made at the time of the statement, fueling frustration among APC members. The council demanded accountability, asserting that the attack was part of a broader pattern of aggression against opposition parties in the state.
Governor Wike’s Role Under Scrutiny
The APC’s statement singled out Governor Nyesom Wike as the “principal stimulus” behind the wave of political violence in Rivers State. It criticized his Executive Orders 21 and 22, which the APC claims are designed to suppress opposition campaigns by restricting their access to public spaces. These orders, described as repressive, are said to violate the rights of other political parties to campaign freely, as guaranteed by law. The APC argued that Wike’s policies have set the stage for ongoing attacks on opposition groups across the state’s 23 local government areas.
Claims of PDP’s Electoral Violations
Adding to their grievances, the APC accused the PDP of flouting Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits certain conduct during political campaigns. Eli highlighted a recent PDP campaign event held at St. Martin’s Anglican Church in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, on January 17, 2023, as evidence of the ruling party’s disregard for electoral regulations. The APC contended that while the PDP conducts its campaigns with impunity, opposition parties face violent disruptions, undermining the democratic process in Rivers State.
Call for Security Intervention
In response to the attack, the Rivers APC issued a stern call to security agencies, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, and the Director of the Department of State Security Services, to curb the actions of Governor Wike, local government officials, and PDP leaders. The council expressed dismay over a report on ARISE TV’s 9 p.m. news on January 18, 2023, which quoted the Commissioner of Police denying the use of IEDs in the attack. The APC challenged this claim, demanding a full disclosure of the incident and warning that it would not tolerate attempts to downplay threats to its members’ safety.
A Tense Political Climate
The attack on the APC rally underscores the escalating tensions in Rivers State as the February 2023 general elections approach. The APC’s accusations against the PDP and Governor Wike highlight a broader struggle for political space in a state known for its contentious electoral history. With the APC vowing to defend itself using “every legitimate tool” at its disposal, the incident raises concerns about the potential for further violence, threatening the integrity of the upcoming polls.
