As the Rivers State’s polity continues to receive more heat from mainly the two major political parties, the ruling PDP and APC, as the March 19 date for national and state Assembly elections draw near, Governor Nyesom Wike has raised a new alert level.
This time, he has informed the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Ndowa Lale, of a list allegedly induced by the APC with the aim of rigging the rerun legislative elections through imposition of politically compromised returning officers.
Lale, a professor, is likely to be the chief returning officer for the forthcoming rerun elections, which have elicited high-profile interest.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday when he received the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Ndowa Lale and his management team, Governor Wike revealed that one Otu Ekpeyong and an APC chieftain, Dawari George; the APC House of Representatives candidate for Akuku-Toru/Asari Toru Federal Constituency allegedly connived to draw up a list of returning officers from the University, with the alleged aim of rigging the rerun polls.
Governor Wike stated that the Rivers State Government has already officially notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the alleged fraudulent plot through a letter addressed to the INEC national chairman.
The governor said the people of Rivers State were vigilant, noting that nobody would be allowed to subvert the democratic process in the state.
He noted that the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt may have signed the illegal APC induced list without knowing that it was masterminded by allegedly fraudulent APC chieftains.
He warned that lecturers who allow themselves to be used by the APC chieftains would face the wrath of Rivers people.
“The Vice Chancellor signed without knowing that the list of returning officers was hijacked by the APC through Dr Otu Ekpeyong who was guided by Dr Dawari George, the APC candidate for Akuku-Toru/Asari Toru Federal Constituency,” said Governor Wike.
He alerted that “I am saying this publicly because we want the world to know the desperation of the APC. The fraudulent list of returning officers for the rerun elections has been intercepted and we have officially written to the national chairman of INEC.”
He reiterated his declaration that those who participate in election manipulation will be treated as political armed robbers. He said fraudulent returning officers will not be allowed to get away with their illegal plot.
He assured the University that Rivers State Government would support them in executing critical projects that would enhance academic success.
Governor Wike said he would visit the University of Port Harcourt to ascertain areas that require the support of the state government.
Earlier, Lale congratulated Governor Wike on his victory at the Supreme Court; saying that the University would continue to partner with the State Government to advance learning.
He solicited the support of the governor in the completion of projects in the faculties of Law, Social Sciences and the Humanities.
