APC opens secretariat in Bayelsa.

Some loyalists of the ex- Governor Timipre Sylva triggered tensions as they mounted the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and unveiled the proposed secretariat of the party in Bayelsa state.

The building of the alleged APC secretariat is owned by Chief Richard Kpodo, the ex- Special Adviser under the Sylva administration. It also served as office complex for the privately-owned transport company known as Perry Rich and owned by Kpodo.

The new APC headquarters in the state was a subject of controversy as it had been already marked for demolition by the state government.

According to the Punch, the hoisting of the APC flag was done in the early hours of January 8, 2014, Wednesday, and the sign post mounted few hours later, about midday.

These actions attracted a lot of attention among the residents.

It has been gathered that many politicians, within and outside government, came to take a look and drove away in their vehicles.

One of such politicians told the newsmen that the opening of the party office was a welcome development and the expectation that they would be welcomed with violence should be dismissed.

“We are not like them. It is not our style to use bombs or unnecessary attacks against opposition,” he said.

Some of the defunct ACN and ANPP components of the APC in the state described the unveiling and hoisting of the party flag as lacking proper advice and not to the knowledge of the interim leadership of the party.

Chief Richard Kpodo, who claimed to have been nominated as the Interim Chairman of the APC in the state, said the hoisting of the party flag and the unveiling of the party secretariat was an indication of the seriousness of the party to take over the state.