Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the
alleged explosion at the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
in Rivers state.
Darlington Nwauju, Rivers APC spokesperson, had alleged that
there was an explosion on Thursday during the party’s governorship rally at
Ojukwu field, Rumuwoji community in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
But Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers police spokesperson, countered
Nwauju, saying no explosion occurred — and that the incident was a clash
between the community members and party supporters.
Reacting in a series of tweets on Thursday evening, the PDP presidential candidate said he “stands with the APC” and families of those injured.
Abubakar also said the should be no room for violence
against political opponents.
“There should be no place for violence and anti-democratic
manifestations in this election,” he wrote.
“We’ve already committed to that in the peace pact we all
signed up to.
“Elections are not a
do-or-die affair but an opportunity to reinforce our belief in democracy
through our leadership choices via adult suffrage.
“We had complained about the violence that had been visited
on our party in some states because we did not want it to become a pattern if
those engaged in anti-democratic activities were not brought to book.
“Our worst fears have now manifested with the explosion at
the APC rally in Port Harcourt. It stands condemned.
“Elections and the choices we make should be about the
ballot and not the bullet.
“On behalf of my
team, I stand in solidarity with the APC and the families of the injured. I
wish the injured a quick recovery.”
Abubakar also asked security agencies to ensure that “those
behind this dastardly act, including their promoters” are brought to justice to
serve as a deterrent to “copycats who may be emboldened to thread this same
anti-democratic path”.
Meanwhile, the PDP candidate’s comment comes amid crisis in
his party over the position taken by stakeholders led by Nyesom Wike, governor
of Rivers.
Wike and his allies have excluded themselves from the PDP
presidential campaign over calls for Iyorchia
The calls for Ayu’s resignation, according to the PDP
stakeholders, are based on the grounds that the PDP presidential candidate and
the national chairperson cannot be from the same region.
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