Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, condemned the attacks on supporters of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State on Thursday.
Towncrier.ng had earlier reported that a twin explosion rocked a rally of the APC at the Rumuwoji Playground in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
With no fewer than three persons injured, Atiku said an election should never be a do-or-die affair
He called on security agencies to ensure that those behind the attack, in a state governed by his political enemy Nyesom Wike, are brought to justice.
The former vice-president said: “There should be no place for violence and anti-democratic manifestations in this election
We’ve already committed to that in the peace pact we all signed up to. Elections are not a do-or-die affair but an opportunity to reinforce our belief in democracy through our leadership choices via adult suffrage.
“We had complained about the violence that had been visited on our party in some states because we did not want it to become a pattern if those engaged in anti-democratic activities were not brought to book.
Our worst fears have now manifested with the explosion at the APC rally in Port Harcourt. It stands condemned.
Elections and the choices we make should be about the BALLOT and not the BULLET.
“On behalf of my team, I stand in solidarity with the APC and the families of the injured. I wish the injured a quick recovery.
“Once again, I call on security agencies to ensure that those behind this dastardly act, including their promoters, are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to copycats who may be emboldened to thread this same anti-democratic path.”