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RIVERS: Wike mocks APC, Amaechi reacts as party’s crisis worsens over congress

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RIVERS: Wike mocks APC, Amaechi reacts as party’s crisis worsens over congress

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has made mockery of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following the violent crisis the party has found itself ahead of Saturday (today’s) ward congresses.

There was a violent protest after the deputy chairman of the state APC, Peter Odike, fingered the Transport Minister and leader of the party in the state, Rotimi Amaechi, as masterminding undemocratic moves that led to the nomination forms for the ward congresses being hijacked and issued against the rules of the party.

The state party chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, refuted his deputy’s claim and insisted that the process was going on as planned but only being delayed by late arrival of party supervisors from the national office.

This was however not able to stop members of the party engaging in violent protest.

Believing the claim of Odike, angry youths of the party invaded, wrecked and looted the state secretariat of the APC.

Consequently, a member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Chidi Wikioya was allegedly arrested by the police and two persons shot.

Reacting to the incidence when he addressed visiting retired military and paramilitary officers at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said, “In an ordinary party congress, over a platoon of soldiers and more than 200 SARs personnel have been handed over to one man. If these operatives protect just one man, while many communities left without protection.

“SARS Commander Akin Fakorede is operating without check because he has the support of the Police High Command. If security agencies can be negatively used during a mere party congress, Nigerians should expect electoral mischief, masterminded by security agencies in 2019.”

Amaechi, who has also reacted to the incidence and denied the reports that he had hijacked the materials for the ward congresses, described Governor Wike as a clown.

READ ALSO: Senator raises the alarm over Kaduna APC Congress

He said, “The police were there when the offices of the APC were destroyed. It is not true there were policemen sent anywhere’ rather it was the police that were invited by the party for protection of the party secretariat and to disperse the thugs brought to disrupt the purchase of forms.

“Forms were sold to contestant, tomorrow (today) we are going ahead with the congresses. And to think of the lie again that I had hijacked the materials. There are no materials for Ward Congresses. It is just for people to buy forms and contest elections. Go to the bank, pay and collect your teller and get your form.”

On Wike mocking of the party he said, “The governor, Wike is a clown, why don’t you enjoy his jokes.

There has been a clear running battle between Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe, who had declared his intention to seek APC governorship candidate for the 2019 general elections, which Amaechi has opposed.

 

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