APC rally bombing: 20 discharged from hospital, 3 cops still in critical condition

No fewer than 20 persons, who sustained injuries when gunmen attacked campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, in Okrika, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday have been discharged from hospital.
This was disclosed yesterday by the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Davis Ikanya, while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt.

Ikanya also stated that three policemen, and another civilian, who had severe bullet wounds, were receiving treatment in a state-owned hospital in Port Harcourt.
The party chairman maintained that APC would still hold a rally for its governorship candidate in Okrika.
This is even as the party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for contravening the peace accord signed by the political parties in the state.
He declared: “Yes, the APC will still organise its campaign at Okrika. We cannot be intimidated because Okrika is part of Rivers State. If the PDP can campaign in Okrika, why cannot the APC campaign in Okrika?”
He condemned the attack on members and supporters of the party by gunmen at the campaign rally in Okrika.
He said: “The PDP is a lawless party. The PDP does not honour any agreement. The PDP has no pedigree or integrity. The PDP has a misguided approach to governance.  Instead of allowing all political parties to campaign freely and let the electorate vote, they are shooting guns.
“Yes, we have signed two different peace accords with the PDP. Sadly, the PDP has violated all known agreements. The PDP is not fit to ask for anybody to vote for them. PDP attacked our members a day after we signed the first peace accord.”
Ikanya regretted that the police had repeatedly assured his party of providing adequate protection during its campaigns “only for PDP thugs to attack our members and destroy our property.”
Asked whether the APC still had confidence in the police, he said the Force should be allowed to function independently, without taking orders from individuals.