Bomb explosions disrupt political rally in Nigeria
Abuja, Dec 30 (PTI) Two bomb blasts have disrupted the political rally of a governorship candidate in Yenogoa, the capital city of Nigeria''s south eastern state of Bayelsa, wounding several persons.
The bombs exploded yesterday just as the governorship aspirant, Senator Beinmo Rufus-Spiff of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) braced up to address his supporters.
Elections are scheduled for next year and aspirants are trying to woo support ahead of party primaries.
"A lady named Doris Orubra and her younger brother, Ebikeseye Orubra were injured by the bomb and were rushed to the hospital. They were standing behind the sport where one of the bombs exploded," an eyewitness told PTI.
The governorship aspirant, Rufus-Spiff is wheel chair bound after an accident he sustained a few years ago, but he went ahead to address few people who stayed behind after the bombing.
"I am not deterred by the bomb blast that rocked this rally and must not abandon my ambition," he said.
The State Commissioner of Police, Aliya Musa confirmed the incident. "I visited the scene to assess things by myself and my observation is that the person that planted the bomb did so to obstruct the rally but no arrests have been made for now.".
The oil-rich African country is gearing up for its fourth elections after the military relinquished power in 1999 following many years of dictatorship by army generals but several bombing incidents have threatened the relative peace that characterises the elections often fraught with manipulations.
On Christmas eve, 32 people were killed while more than 100 were wounded when string of blasts hit Jos town in central Nigeria, just as suspected Islamic fundamentalists massacred six Christians in a nearby town of Maiduguri.
The casualty figure later rose to 82 even as another killing of three persons was reported in the same zone.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced April 9 as the date for the country''s presidential elections following an amendment of the constitution by the parliament
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