EXPLOSIVES, believed to be dynamite in the early hours of today, detonated at the secretariat of Tony Okocha-led Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), even as local government elections kick-started in the state.
The mysterious explosion destroyed buildings and other property at the secretariat situated along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The incident is occurring just as local government elections are set to take place, resulting in significant damage, with the gate of the secretariat destroyed and numerous windows and doors shattered owing to the impact of the explosion. 
According to Mr Tony Okocha, “About 3:20 am, some gun-trotting young men with their explosives and all that, came here and dropped the first explosive, maybe because the one they dropped here did not detonate, they came back the second time to burn the structure – look at the security house is gone.
“Behind me, you will see that there was also an attempt. Our people came, and we were able to quench the fire,” Okocha said.
He alleged that the incident was politically motivated and blamed the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he said had earlier declared war over the local government election.
“Is the APC secretariat here any voting unit? There is no voting unit here. So, it was deliberate to see how they can annihilate us, it is deliberate to see how they can embarrass us, it is deliberate to see how they can decimate us,” Okocha said.
This attack marks the second such incident this year for the APC under the leadership of Chief Tony Okocha.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing party workers assessing the damage shortly after the explosion, which has raised concerns about security in the region.
Meanwhile, amid controversies surrounding the Rivers State local government poll, accreditation, and voting have started in many polling centers around Port Harcourt City.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, stated she had not yet received a report on the incident but assured that she would provide updates as they become available.
Eighteen-Eleven Media