Gunmen set ablaze ADC secretariat, block Amaechi convoy in Rivers

Armed thugs on Friday reportedly attacked members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ubima Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, destroying the party’s Ward 8 secretariat and firing gunshots near the residence of former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.

The incident occurred as Mr Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers and a leading figure in the party, was expected in his hometown for the ADC’s party registration and membership revalidation exercise.

The attackers, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, also attempted to block the convoy of the former minister as he travelled to Ubima for the event.

Security personnel accompanying Mr Amaechi reportedly fired gunshots to disperse the attackers and clear the road along the dual carriageway leading to the community.

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Videos circulating on Facebook captured the sounds of gunshots believed to have been fired by security operatives while attempting to dislodge the attackers.

Secretariat set ablaze

The attackers also destroyed the ADC Ward 8 secretariat in Ubima.

In one of the videos shared online, Mr Amaechi was seen inspecting the wreckage of the burnt building after the incident.

It remains unclear who carried out the attack.

Police react

The police in the state said it has begun an investigation into the burning of the secretariat.

The police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, told PREMIUM TIMES that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been orchestrated by “miscreants.”

“We’re investigating it. The only thing is that some miscreants orchestrated that fire outbreak, but no life was lost,” Ms Iringe-Koko said.

“The values (of property) that were destroyed are yet to be ascertained, but we’re investigating to unravel the circumstances why the secretariat was set ablaze. But no arrest has been made.”

When asked about the alleged attack on Mr Amaechi’s convoy, the police spokesperson said she was not aware of such an incident.

“I am not aware that the former minister was attacked. The only one I know is that the secretariat was burnt, but I’ll update you on the latest development,” she said.

Rising political tension

Mr Amaechi served as speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and later as governor of the oil-rich state before he was appointed minister of transportation by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He contested the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 but lost to President Bola Tinubu.

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The former minister later left the ruling party and joined a political coalition with several prominent national figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The coalition eventually evolved into the African ADC.

Mr Amaechi has since declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the ADC platform.

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, is leading a political support movement in the state backing the re-election of President Tinubu.

Mr Wike, who once served as Mr Amaechi’s chief of staff before succeeding him as governor, has since fallen out politically with his former ally, deepening political divisions in Rivers State.