Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday said his administration would not succumb to blackmail and intimidation, promising to continue to protect lives and property in the state.

Uduaghan who was reacting to yesterday’s bomb blast that rocked Government House annex during the opening ceremony of post-amnesty dialogue organized by Vanguard Media Limited, urged both participants and people of the state to go about their normal businesses.

In a statement signed on his behalf by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Oma Djebah, the governor maintained that the State would not be deterred by the cowardly act of a few who were opposed to a peaceful and non-violent approach of resolving the historic grievances of the region.

“I want to assure everyone that we will not be intimidated in our determination to fast-track the development of our people, I want to also re-assure all of you that no effort will be tolerated for evil doers to thrive in this state,” said the governor.

Immediately after the explosion, the Governor quickly ordered the evacuation of participants to a safe location just as the event had been put off by the organizers.

Meanwhile, residents in the vicinity have deserted their homes just as schools and market places within Government House have closed indefinitely.