The All Progressives Congress (APC) Tuesday said one policeman died in the aftermath of the mayhem at its rally in Okrika.
Police authorities were yet to confirm that as at the time of filing this report.
The Rivers APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has however accused the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, of being behind the attack.
Dame Jonathan is from Okrika.
Three Improvised Explosive Devices went off close to the rally ground of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tuesday in Okrika, Rivers State.
There was stampede as people gathering for the rally at Okrika National Secondary School Field scampered for safety.
A large crowd of party supporters had gathered and were waiting for their leaders to arrive when the explosions occurred.
The rally later got underway after the situation was brought under control, but more drama was to come.
Unknown gunmen later stormed the rally ground, firing shots sporadically.
This forced party members and leaders to run for safety.
Peterside was whisked away by security operatives in the midst of the deafening sound of sporadic gunshots.
The shooting lasted for about an hour and several persons were injured including Charles Eruka, a Channels television reporter who was stabbed.
A statement from APC said: “We remain resolute in our quest to rid Rivers State of brigandage and criminality and reassures our supporters that this change train cannot be stopped. God is on our side.”
Peterside, in a statement on Tuesday, said Jonathan and a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi, were the masterminds of the attack, which the APC said left a policeman dead and several others wounded.
Peterside, in his reaction, said: “Today is one of my saddest days as a politician. The day had started on a pleasant note when as part of my campaign rally in Okrika, I visited the Okrika Grammar School, my alma mater, where I met with the principal and interacted with the students. From there, I proceeded to pay a courtesy call on the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma.
“While I was at the palace of the Amanyanabo, reports reached me and my team that three explosives had been detonated at the venue of the rally, National School Field, Okrika. Two of the explosives ripped off parts of the roof of the school building. The APC members and leadership at the venue immediately called in the security personnel and the anti-bomb squad who combed the area. It is important to note that several other explosives were found by the team but all normalcy was restored.
“We proceeded from the Amanyanabo to see the Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Anglican Communion Rt. Rev. T Abere, who prayed with the team at 1:30 pm.
“From the Bishop’s Court, we headed to the venue and the rally began in earnest with prayers and praise and worship. A few persons gave solidarity speeches and while one of our leaders in Okrika LGA, Mr D.D Alabere, was speaking, we started hearing sporadic gunshots from the back of national school and from the Okrika cemetery.
“Several eyewitnesses saw a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, who doubles as a personal assistant to the wife of the President, Mrs Patience Jonathan, accompanied by men in police uniform and several other non uniformed armed men numbering in excess of 50 around the venue. He was seen personally directing the shooting.
“Mrs. Jonathan is a native of Okrika and had just spent the weekend in Okrika where she said she had gone to rest.”
