From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi
Less than six hours to the ward congress of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi state, unknown arsonists have burnt down the party secretariat along Gombe Road, in Bauchi.
Our correspondent gathered that the party secretariat was burnt down at 2.00 am yesterday, which was slated for the ward congress that was supposed to commence by 8.00am. The party however, still went ahead to conduct the ward congress at the secretariat.
A member of the party, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, alleged that all the office equipment and other properties inside the office were looted by the hoodlums before setting it ablaze.
He also alleged that the act was carried out by thugs loyal to one of the factions in the party because, according to him, the party has two factions and as such, two members were aspiring for the office of the chairman.
Responding on the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) Bauchi state command, ASP, Mohammed Haruna, said “information at our disposal indicates that unknown hoodlums at 2.00am burnt down part of Bauchi LG secretariat of APC. No life was lost during the fire incident and the value of the property destroyed is yet to be ascertained. We have commenced investigation”.
The state Interim Chairman of APC, Senator Mohammed Mohammed, when contacted on phone said “we are just going to the secretariat now; will call you back in the next one hour”.
