APC Blames PDP For Attack on Buhari's Supporters in Rivers State

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP of engaging in violence ahead of next month's general elections, after many supporters of the APC were shot by gunmen while heading to the inaugural campaign of our presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in Rivers State on Tuesday.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said ''The assurances by the leadership of the PDP ring hollow when thugs affiliated with the party are ambushing peaceful and harmless supporters heading to a campaign rally. It is either the leadership is not sincere in its assurances or it has lost control of the party, which will both be dangerous for the country.

''If the PDP has launched a campaign of violence against the APC this early, only God knows how far the ruling party will go to physically decimate the opposition before, during and after February's elections. We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and indeed the international community to closely monitor the events during the ongoing electioneering campaign and the elections themselves.

''On our part, we will document every act of violence against our members and supporters, just so that we can show the world, with verifiable proof, which party is indeed the violent one,'' it said.

APC said the police must act fast to investigate Tuesday's attack and bring the perpetrators to justice, in order to prevent acts of violence from marring the forthcoming polls.

APC later appealed to its members not to engage in retaliatory attacks, saying its commitment to a non-violent election remain unshaken.

''We appeal to our members and supporters to remain calm but vigilant, because the forces of darkness will never allow peace to reign. Our stated commitment to a peaceful election is sacrosanct, irrespective of the acts of provocation by the PDP,'' the party said. ( Nigerianbulleting )