The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has warned its members to stay away from the venue and vicinity of today’s campaign rally in the state capital by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The party leadership in an sms circulated to members this morn claimed that soldiers have been given express orders to shoot anyone suspected of moves to interfere with the rally. The Rivers State Government had refused to release the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for the rally but soldiers forcibly took it over last week.

According to the sms, “Nyesom Wike has forcefully taken over the Adokie Amesiemeka stadium built by the state govt for a rally today. This is to warn all A PC members and supporters not to go anywhere near the stadium and particularly to avoid any road or route leading to the stadium as the soldiers have been ordered to shoot anyone seen near the stadium between 7am and 12 noon at sight. Please, be warned.”

Rivers State had in an earlier statement claimed that the state is under siege, adding the State PDP Leader and guber candidate, Chief Wike and party leadership “have concluded plans to dress their members in APC T-shirts and send them to embarrass President Jonathan by stoning his convoy to give the impression that he was attacked by APC supporters.”

The ultimate aim, according to Rivers APC, “is to use this as an excuse to cause mayhem and destroy the property of Rivers people and even kill if possible.”

•Photo shows Wike.