*APC Rivers, Civil Society Organizations, CSO, condemn attack.
Eric Olusesan/Port Harcourt
Members of the Atiku Abubakar support group in Omuma local government area of Rivers state have raised alarm that they were attacked with machetes while pasting campaign posters in the area on Sunday.
The coordinator of the group, Nnamdi Nwokocha- Worgu tells our correspondent that one of those attacked, Udochukwu Nwankwoala is in critical condition at the hospital.
Mr Nwokocha-Worgu also said Omuma local government area is not safe for political activities as their lives are being threatened.
On his part, the Spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers state, Leloonu Nwibubasa, said the matter will not be treated with kid gloves. He also called for the intervention of Governor Nyesom Wike and the Rivers state commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, to fish out those behind the attack.
Nwankwoala Udo a strong supporter of Atiku Abubakar in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State was attacked along side other supporters, including the elder brother (same parents) to Hon. Kelechi Worgu (A current member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and PDP Candidate for the Federal House of Reps for Etche/Omuma Constituency). They were attacked by a serving Councilor and over 30 PDP supporters who are anti-Atiku Abubakar in Omuma.
Omuma in the past is infamous for politics of violent attacks against political opponents.
Udo and few others sustained bullets and machets injuries and was rushed to a hospital.
The Atiku Abubakar group is alleging that a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly and a PDP stalwart coordinated the attack and gave firm instructions that anybody found pasting any poster of Atiku Abubakar should be attacked regardless of who was involved.
The Police, DSS and other security agencies have been contacted and are currently investigating the matter while those attacked and critical ill, are receiving treatment.
They also said that the victims had to be moved from the first hospital to another because the attackers still trailed them to the hospital.
Our Correspondent reports that full fledged Campaigns for Atiku Abubakar have not started in Rivers State yet and are yet to be flagged off in the state.
Leloonu Nwibubasa, called on the new Commissioner of Police, CP Okon Effiong,Commissioner of Police Rivers State Command, the DSS and all of security to call Governor Wike’s boys to order.
Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ,APC, Rivers State, Mr Darlington Nwauju has called on the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Okon Effiong to carry out a thorough investigation on the attack.
Mr. Nwauju who frowned at the attitude of some politicians in the area expressed fear that if urgent steps are not taking to forestall reoccurrence of the incident next year election may be distorted.
The Spokesperson urged other security agencies to beam their flashlight on the local government areas as they have been flashpoints for political violence.
Mr. Nwauju described the attack as barbaric, unethical and against the maintenance of democracy.
He added that for credible and peaceful election to take place next year, the state must be peaceful and habitable for all.
Also,the Spokesperson Rivers State Civil Society Organizations, Solomon Lenu, condemned the incident in a statement described it as painful, worrisome and an ominous sign of violence.
He noted that the situation will discourage people to come out to exercise their civic responsibility in next year’s election due to fear of the unknown.