Political tension in the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress deepened on Friday when unidentified hoodlums set the party secretariat on fire.
Our correspondent, who visited the secretariat at the Imo State University junction in Owerri around 6.30 pm, amidst heavy downpour, saw smoke coming out of the building.
No firefighter was seen on the ground even as several people watched from afar as the building was engulfed in smoke.
It was gathered that some equipment as well as party documents were destroyed in the incident.
When contacted, the state party chairmen, Hilary Eke, said the development was the handiwork of some unidentified hoodlums who wanted to frustrate the local government areas congress of the party holding on Saturday (today).
He however vowed that the exercise would be conducted, insisting that the contentious wards congress of the party last week was successful.
He urged those who lost during last weekend’s exercise to give peace a chance.
He said, “Despite the provocation, the local government areas congress must go on today. It is not taking place at the party secretariat, but at the 27 local government areas.
“My duty is to report this incident to the police and the police have the duty to investigate so that those who attacked the secretariat will be identified.”