….PDP blames APC. APC says PDP should look inwards
Okenyi Kenechi
The Rivers State Government has accused the All Progressive Congress in the State of masterminding the shooting of innocent PDP members at a rally in Ipo, Ikwerre Local Government Area yesterday.
A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications Emma Okah and obtained by theportcitynews alleged that the gunmen suspected to be APC supporters opened fire on PDP members who were holding a meeting, critically wounding about six of them while one is feared dead.
Mr Okah stated that the ‘unprovoked’ violence and attack on those innocent persons will not be accepted by the State and called on the Police and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.
However, the Rivers State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating all over the state that the attack on some PDP members who were on sensitization tour at Ipo was masterminded by APC stakeholders in the State.
Nnamdi Omoni, the command’s public relations officer said that it cannot be hastily concluded that the attack was politically motivated.
Omoni said that a manhunt has been launched to fish out perpetrators of the crime, adding that preliminary investigation showed that no death was recorded.
But the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike has raised alarm over an assassination attempt on his life and other PDP chieftains.
Mr Nwanosike who spoke through his media aide, Chris Omodu said one person was killed by the assailant who attacked Mr. Nwanosike and others during a PDP sensitization rally at Ipo community yesterday.
Mr Omodu said the chairman had earlier raised alarm that some members of the opposition party in the State had held series of meetings with some hoodlums to disrupt PDP events in Ikwerre Local government. He said the matter has been reported to the police.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Tonye Cole Campaign Organization, Chidi Lloyd says it was not in the nature of the APC in the state to cause violence in order to get into office.
Dr Lloyd was reacting to the statement made by the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike that there was an alleged assassination attempt on his life and other PDP chieftains and that some members of the opposition are planning to disrupt PDP events in Ikwerre Local government Area.
He said that his candidate, Tonye Cole and the APC are too refined to plan attacks on PDP members. He advised PDP chieftains in Ikwerre Local Government Area to look inwards and find out who they have offended.
