The last has not been heard of the allegation by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike that the list of returning officers for the re-run elections next Saturday had been doctored.
Governor Wike made the allegation during a meeting at the Government House in Port with a delegation from the University of Port Harcourt, led by the Vice Chancellor,
Both Doctor Otu Ekpeyong and Rivers APC House of Representative candidate, Doctor Dawari George who were mentioned by the Governor have since denied the allegation.
However; the Coalition of Akwa Ibom State Youth Groups in Rivers State has risen in defence of Doctor Ekpeyong, backing up their position with his impeccable track record that had earned him several awards.
The leadership of the organization said it received with great displeasure the allegation leveled against one of the illustrious sons of Akwa Ibom State, and wishes to dismiss the claims as unfounded and baseless.
The Coalition of Akwa Ibom State Youth Groups said Doctor Ekpeyong was a nonpartisan public servant, adding, however, that the allegation by the Rivers State Governor had exposed him to unnecessary security risk.
The Akwa Ibom State Youth coalition condemned in strong terms the allegation against their son and demand that the Rivers State Governor should ensure the safety of Doctor Ekpeyong.
A communiqué released by the group noted that Doctor Ekpeyong has been rendering services to the Independent National Electoral Commission on behalf of the university community, including the 2015 general election that produced Governor Wike.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the President of UniPort Chapter of Ibibio Student’s Union, Ukpono UDO; and the President of UniPort Post Graduate chapter of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, Iddy Ekpo.
Also joined in signing the communiqué is the Director of Publicity and Mobilisation of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Youth Alliance, Emem Jackson.
The group noted that Akwa Ibom people were peaceful and law-abiding citizens and would continue to support the Rivers State government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people as long as Governor Nyesom Wike continues to pilot the affairs of the state without threat, victimization and discrimination among the non-indigenes.
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