By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT—One person was shot dead and several others injured when gunmen opened fire at the governorship campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bakana, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Saturday evening.

Eye witnesses said that the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Nyesom Wike, was addressing the rally when the gunmen invaded the venue shooting sporadically, a development that caused stamped and panic.

But Mr. Simeon Nwaka, media aide Nwike, said his principal was leaving the venue when the gunmen stormed the place.

Vanguard gathered that one person, whose identity could not be confirmed at press time, died on the spot while the shooting was on.

Among those who escaped unhurt were the Minister of Sports, Mr Tammy Danagogo, deputy governorship candidate of the party, Dr Ipalibo Banigo and many other party chieftains.

State Chairman of the party, Mr Felix Obuah, in a statement, yesterday condemned the attack, saying the Police should unmask those behind it for prosecution.

He said it was unfortunate that some persons had introduced violence into the politics of the state, urging the Police to look in the direction of All Progressives Congress, APC, in its investigation.

He said: “The attack is criminal, barbaric and orchestrated by the APC to destabilise the state and derail the elections, having come to the realisation that Rivers people have resolved to unanimously vote for the PDP.

“The interrogation and arrest of the Rivers APC governorship candidate, Mr Dakuku Peterside and Mr Dan Amachree, factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, will help the police in their investigation to get at all the APC members involved. “

He appealed to PDP members in the state to remain calm.