The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, under the leadership of Chief Tony Okocha, has established a 9-member committee to probe the causes of the bombing of its party secretariat on October 5, 2024, along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway.
The investigative committee, led by Kelechi Nwizu, was inaugurated following a meeting of the party’s executives and members in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The attack on the APC secretariat occurred in the early hours of October 5, when unidentified assailants attempted to set the premises on fire. The assailants were repelled by security personnel, and no fatalities were reported. According to the police report, the explosion took place around 3:00 AM. Security guards at the secretariat reported hearing a loud bang before observing three black Toyota Hilux vans speeding away from the scene.
The blast caused significant damage to the secretariat, including the destruction of the gate and shattered windows, while the security building was set ablaze, according to Independent.
In response to the attack, the police deployed Explosive Ordinance Disposal and the Anti-Bomb squad to the site for investigation.
Chief Okocha explained that the committee was formed after Governor Fubara declined to include the bombing of the APC secretariat in the scope of a panel of inquiry he established to investigate the burning of other party secretariats in the state. Despite the APC’s reminder to the governor, Okocha said the attack on the party’s secretariat was ignored. In light of this, the APC decided to launch its own independent investigation.
Okocha emphasized that the party’s newly formed committee would be empowered to invite anyone for questioning in a bid to uncover the causes of the bombing.
He also took the opportunity to address recent developments in Rivers State, stating that the APC would not be silenced by the governor’s refusal to address the attack.
Additionally, Okocha highlighted the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in working to improve the country’s economy, noting that his international visits were yielding positive outcomes. Okocha praised the president for his efforts in revitalizing the Port Harcourt refinery, which was part of his campaign promises, and for pushing forward with the reactivation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries, as well as the second phase of the Port Harcourt refinery.
“I want you people to take note, because the governor appointed a commission on the burning down of local government secretariats. We reminded the governor to include our own office that was attacked.
“We also reminded the governor of the arson attack on the Rivers State House of Assembly. He refused because the house of assembly was pulled down at his behest.
“The Governor has proven that APC can go to hell. But we won’t go to hell. You can’t shave the head of a man on his absence. No invitation was sent to us.
“We are still pained by the developments in Rivers State, APC agreed to set up it’s own panel of inquiry and the panel is empowered to invite anyone since no one is above the law.
Its duty is to unearth the immediate and remote causes of the burning of the APC in Rivers State,” Okocha said.
He continued, “His recent visit to South Africa, is already opening a new vista of relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.
“He has also given a marching order for the reactivation of the Warri and Kaduna Refineries and the second phase of the Port Harcourt refinery. Isn’t it a thing of joy?”
