By EMEKA CHIKWE, Port-Harcourt –
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has said it is not responsible for the Thursday’s explosion that rocked the APC rally in Port Harcourt, which injured no fewer than 3 persons.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers had accused the PDP of being the mastermind of the attack.
But reacting to the accusation in a statement on Friday, Director of Publicity and Communications of the state PDP Campaign Council, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, absolved PDP of responsibility in whatever happened at the rally.
Chief Nwuke said: ”The Police in Rivers have already issued a clarification.
“The command has explained that no other political party came anywhere near the venue of the rally.
”It further explained that there was a rift over money paid by the APC to the Rumuwoji Community, venue of the rally.
”It is surprising that after the Police offered a comprehensive explanation on the matter, APC will address the press to reel out accusations that are based on falsehood.
”You see, we are a peaceful political party. We understand our mission.
“We believe that everyone has a right to campaign in Rivers,” he further stated.
Nwuke added that the ruling PDP in the state had continued to insist on issue-based campaigns.
”So, how can the APC accuse us of detonating an improvised explosive at the venue of their rally after the Police had waded into the matter?
”There is a limit to reliance on incoherent propaganda.
“No amount of name calling can change the truth, intimidate PDP or deceive the people.
”Our independent investigation shows that neither the current Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government nor his predecessor named by the APC in its press briefing was anywhere near the venue of the rally,” he added.
Nwuke urged the opposition party to shun all acts of desperation.
“There is nothing that they would not do to gain cheap popularity by deliberately spreading falsehood,” he stated.
He, therefore, appealed to Rivers residents to ignore the false allegation.
He said the PDP has everything that it needs to win free and fair elections in the state.
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