Violence threatens APC’s ward congress in Rivers State

Chidi Samuel|

Ahead of the takeoff of the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country, all appears not to be well in the Rivers State Chapter of the ruling All Congress Party.

Violence broke out after hundreds of supporters of the party in the state stormed the APC Secretariat in Port Harcourt to protest what they describe as unacceptable development in the party.

They alleged that the APC leadership loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, plotted to shut those purportedly loyal to Senator Magnus Abe from the congresses on Saturday.

The protesters also claimed that the sale of forms to delegates was manipulated and names were written down at an unknown location.

See also  NIS to launch contactless passport application system in Europe

They were said to have forced their way into the secretariat and left it in a shadow of itself, with broken windows and other office equipment destroyed.

Responding to the development, Senator Magnus Abe said it would not be reasonable to hold the exercise when a faction of the party has allegedly hijacked the process.

He called on the leadership of the party to intervene.

“Up till now, nobody has heard anything from the officials that will conduct the congresses. None of the stakeholders has been called to any meeting. Those who have paid to get forms don’t know where to go or who to issue them form, but we here some forms have been issued at Intels in Port Harcourt,” he said.

See also  Justice Azuka, kidnapped Anambra lawmaker found dead

“We would like to appeal to the national secretariat of the party to do something about the situation. Forms have not been given to those who bought forms. They protested when they heard that forms were being distributed at hotels. I don’t know how you can conduct the exercise under such an atmosphere”

Responding to the allegations, the APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers, Mr. Chris Finebone, denied any irregularities in the sale of forms, he told journalists that the sale of forms was delayed due to the absence of some national leaders.