PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has strongly criticised alleged attempts by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to obstruct the Rivers State local government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.
In a statement issued to the media, Chief Eze claimed that Wike, along with his loyalists, had devised plans to prevent the elections from taking place by leveraging security agencies to block access to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt. However, he noted that these alleged schemes fell apart when the police opted to collaborate with RSIEC to ensure a smooth electoral process, following a Federal High Court ruling.
Eze referred to a recent judgement by Justice I.P.C. Igwe in Suit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024, which dismissed efforts to halt the elections. The ruling, delivered in a case brought by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against the Rivers State Government, RSIEC, and the Governor of Rivers State, affirmed that the elections should proceed as planned.
Eze suggested that Wike’s efforts to stop the elections were a failed attempt to assert control over Rivers State politics in the face of growing influence from Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has solidified his grip on the state since distancing himself from his predecessor.
Commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for providing RSIEC with necessary electoral materials, Chief Eze urged security agencies to ensure a professional and impartial role during the elections. He praised the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Chief Emeka Beke, for participating in the elections, contrasting this with Wike’s alleged attempts to undermine the process.
Eze described the refusal of Wike’s faction and the Rivers PDP leadership to participate in the elections as a sign of “cowardice” and “fear of defeat,” claiming it underscored Wike’s declining relevance in the state’s politics. He called on the people of Rivers to unite in reclaiming their state from what he termed the “draconian” leadership of Wike, whose eight-year tenure he characterised as marked by widespread regression.
Eze wished the people of Rivers a peaceful election and encouraged voters to follow the guidelines and directives of electoral officials. He also lauded RSIEC for providing a fair and transparent platform for all political parties involved, asserting that such actions strengthen democracy.
