The Coalition of Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives has condemned the attack on the Rivers State secretariat of the Action Peoples Party ( APP) by gunmen.
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The coalition, in a statement by its spokesman, Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, on Wednesday, called on President Bola Tinubu and security chiefs to take urgent steps to stop burgeoning political violence in Rivers State.
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Ugochinyere said those fanning the embers of political violence in Rivers State at a time when the country is already tense as a result of economic challenges, do not mean well for President Tinubu.
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“Late last night I received a distress call from the National Chairman of one of the rising opposition political parties Action People’s Party (APP) that their Rivers State Party Secretariat was under attack, with heavy gun shots raining from every corner with the head of security of the Party already shot. As it would turn out, the bullet fortunately pierced via his buttocks. He is graciously alive but critically lying at the hospital.Â
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“This attack is coming a few weeks after a bomb was detonated at this same party office that left the building partially damaged and just a few days after its renovation, heavily armed gunmen opened fire with intent to kill everyone on sight,” he stated.
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The lawmaker added that “Nigeria is at a tipping moment and so much anger is caused by economic challenges; those promoting political violence in Rivers State do not mean well for the President but rather want to use their action to bring so much crisis and disdain that can destabilise the federal government.”
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“This is the time for President Tinubu to act to save his administration, which is facing multiple challenges that need cohesion and working together,” the lawmaker stated.
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“Nobody knows what roof the bomb will land next or what those being bombed will do in reaction. Whichever way, it is not in our national interest to allow a culture of democracy by bomb. Stop these elements now before it’s too late.”
