The Director of Field Operations, Dakuku Campaign Organisation, Emmanuel Chinda on Thursday revealed that the police had given APC the go-ahead to continue with the Okrika rally despite the explosions that occurred close to the rally ground.
“The advice of the police was that they could contain the situation and we should carry on with the rally. That was how we continued the rally.”
According to Chinda, who appeared on Sunrise Daily, the disrupted Okrika rally was the third attempt by the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the forthcoming elections, Dakuku Peterside.
The first attempt had been on the 24th of January which had been disrupted by bandits despite the police permit that had been obtained.
The second attempt had been on the 12th of February and according to Chinda, the APC had been advised not to hold the rally as the First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, was going to visit the area, her hometown.
“APC gladly agreed. We said – ok, no problem”, Chinda noted, adding that the final date, 16th, had been agreed upon by the party and the police.
He further confirmed that the police command had provided security as promised.
Chinda said the rally had gone smoothly initially as the APC candidate, Dakuku Peterside had visited his Alma Mater, the principal and students as well as the traditional ruler of the community.
He then proceeded to church for prayers. It was at this point explosives had gone off. However, the rally kick started after police had restored normalcy but shortly after the opening prayer, “hell let lose”, Chinda said.
He noted that the police had tried to contain the unknown gunmen but they were overwhelmed.
