Explosion, Heavy Shooting Mar APC, PDP Rallies In Rivers, Edo

Three persons were injured when explosion occurred during the governorship campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Diobu, a densely populated area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that the incident occurred when three explosive devices, suspected to be dynamite went off simultaneously, causing panic at the Ojukwu Field, venue of the rally for Port Harcourt City local government area.

The three injured persons, who are mostly women were taking to a nearby medical facility for medical attention while the campaign rally went on.

When contacted, publicity secretary of APC in the state, Darlington Nwauju, confirmed the incident.

However, the Rivers State Police command was yet to issue any statement on the incident as at the time of filing the report.

Also yesterday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo central senatorial district has halted its campaign as heavy gunshots by suspected political opponent marred the campaign in ward seven of Edo Central local government area.

The party had on the 17th of January, 2023, flagged off campaigns for all its candidates in the forthcoming 2023 general elections in Edo central senatorial district.

The incident caused pandemonium as the speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Marcus Onobun and other PDP leaders were evacuated to safety, while others ran for their lives.

A former commissioner for land and survey and a leader of the PDP faction loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Hon. Anslem Ojezua, flanked by other party leaders, who spoke in a viral video on the incident, said Police investigation had commenced to unravel those behind the attack.

He said, “We had to suspend our campaign today. Today was supposed to be the final campaign stanza of campaign in Esan Central. We were in ward 7 and having a very peaceful really.”