Suspected PDP thugs bomb APC campaign venue in Patience Jonathan’s town

Venue of the governorship campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the National Field, Okrika, Rivers State was, on Saturday, bombed by suspected thugs working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, hails from Okrika. She has been having a running battle with Governor Rotimi Amaechi and is strongly supporting the PDP candidate, Nyesom Wike, against the APC candidate, Dakuku Peterside.
The venue was bombed about 4:30am.
Freedom Online learnt that an explosive device suspected to be dynamite was used by the suspected PDP thugs. After the bombing, the thugs started shooting for about 20 minutes. The shooting was so deafening and frightening that residents in the area could not come out to watch.
It was after the exit of the hoodlums that policemen stormed the scene. Residents were seen in the early morning discussing the attack. Policemen later told some APC chiefs planning for the rally to shelve the idea because the rally had been cancelled due to the attack.
The state Police Commissioner, Dan Bature, confirmed the development in a statement.
It reads: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 24/01/2015 at about 0430hrs, at National Field, Okrika, the supposed APC rally arena was attacked with an explosive device suspected to be dynamite by unidentified assailants. Podium and public address system were damaged. No lost of life. Area is now under police control while Police Bomb Disposal unit has commenced discreet investigation.
“The incident has heightened tensions and from our assessment has the capability of degenerating to a situation where the protection of life and property will be threatened. Consequently, the Command has advised All Progressives Congress (APC) to reschedule the rally to another date.
“While Command is determined to discharge its constitutional mandate of protection of life and property, all political parties are hereby warned to adhere strictly to the Code of Conduct guiding political activities in the state, respect of law and order and eschew violence in all its ramifications before, during and after 2015 general elections. “The Command also is determined to enforce law and order, provide adequate security for all political parties and ensure that the full wrath of law is visited on any person(s) who dare and wish to test our capability, please”.
APC Chairman in Okrika Local Government, Mr Christian Asifamaka, said the armed youths attacked officials setting up the venue of the rally.
“Those setting up the sound system and the podium were forced to flee for their lives when the thugs started shooting explosives into the arena. They destroyed the podium, sound equipment and some canopies,’’ Asifamaka said.