Political violence escalates in Rivers as APC, SDP governorship meetings come under attack

As various political parties intensify their campaigns for the Match 25 and the February 11 and March 25, 2023 elections in Rivers State, politically motivated violence and attacks are on the rise, with several politicians and political parties being attacked on a daily basis.

Barely 24 hours after the burning down of the mansion of the APC’s National Assembly candidate for the Ikwerre/Emuoha federal constituency, Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi, in Omerelu, Rivers State, the campaign trains of the Social Democratic Party’s SDP gubernatorial candidate Democratic Party Senator Magnus Abe and APC’s All Progressives Congress Tonye Cole was attacked in several parts of Rivers State on Monday.

While Senator Abe reportedly escaped assassination when unknown gunmen attacked his train in the Akinima Community in the Ahoada-West Local Government Area of ​​the state, Cole’s own train was attacked in Oyigbo, in the Oyigbo Local Government Area.

Abe and his team had previously visited Ubeta and other communities in the area before heading to Akinima, the headquarters of the local government area, when they came under heavy attack.

A short video from his media team showed members of the campaign train running helter-skelter for safety in the ensuing chaos.

The APC train is said to have been prevented by an alleged order from above from using a space they had prepared and cleared for their rally use. After the ensuing arguments and associated pandamonium, the APC people moved to a section of the express road to address their supporters.

Speaking about the attack on his train in Akinima, Abe said: “We went there and they went and used two vehicles to block the road so we can’t get there.

“Nigeria is a democracy and we all have the right to go to the people and share our ideas with them. If you have reigned over the people for seven years, the people should be happy with you.

“If people aren’t happy with you, it’s because you’re not doing well. Now you send people’s children to come and prevent other politicians from talking to the people.”

However, the SDP gubernatorial candidate did not specifically name the perpetrators.

Cole also commented on his own experience, stating that no form of harassment would stop him and the APC from taking their message of hope to the people.

He expressed confidence in the chances of the APC winning the election in the state, saying that was what motivated the party to continue campaigning across the state against all odds.