Wike
As the Peoples Democratic Party’s primaries draws near, the internal crisis rocking the Rivers State Chapter of the party has intensified.
There were reports of alleged move to disqualify some of the aspirants.
Meanwhile, the sixteen aggrieved governorship aspirants in a statement signed by the Leader of the Rivers Mainstream Coalition, Prof. Isreal Owate wondered why the National leadership of the PDP had turned deaf ears to the inadequacies of the Felix Obuah-led party.
Prof. Owate, who was a former Commissioner in the state maintained that the former Minister, Nyesom Wike had manipulated the screening process to his favour.
He further confirmed that Wike sponsored petitions against some governorship aspirants in his bid to frustrate their chances in the upcoming primaries.
He said, “This press conference has become necessary and indeed urgent considering the fact that we have exhausted avenues within the different organs of the PDP, including petitions to the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and recently the South-South Integration Committee constituted by the National Working Committee.
“We have complained about the structure of the PDP in Rivers state as it concerns the legitimacy of the party Executives at various levels. We have also complained about the absence of authentic membership registers.
“Unfortunately, we have not received any response from these highly placed organs of the party while the party has begun the processes leading to the next general election which includes the sham ward congresses.
“We complained that the Dr. Gambo-led Rivers state Ward Congress electoral committee was populated by cronies of one of the governorship aspirants, Barrister Nyesom Wike and cannot therefore produce a credible and acceptable outcome. We have since asked the National Working Committee to cancel the so-called ward delegates election.
“At the gubernatorial screening panel, most prominent aspirants were confronted with spurious, trumped up frivolous petitions alleging that the aspirants are not members of the PDP in Rivers state.
“These spurious petitions sponsored by Barr. Nyesom Wike in his desperation to foist himself over Rivers people were purported to have been submitted against aspirants by persons who have denied knowledge of such petitions.
“It is alarming that such fraudulent petitions could be concocted to derail the gubernatorial screening process, but we are hopeful that the Screening Committees shall take the appropriate position by dismissing these petitions.”
The statement further disclosed that some lawmakers who had been cleared by the screening committee were all members of the Grassroot Development Initiative, loyal to the former Minister.
The sixteen aspirants also reiterated their call on the National working committee of the PDP to intervene, adding that it might be against the success of the party.
The statement added that: “The party had also embarked on the screening of State Assembly and National Assembly aspirants but unfortunately none of the screened aspirants got their clearance certificate as stipulated by the PDP guideline.
“Information at our disposal confirms that only 32 House of Assembly aspirants, who belong to the Grassroots Development Initiative were cleared behind the scene.
“This action is undemocratic and fraudulent because it precludes any contest.
“The ominous silence of the National Working Working Committee gives us the impression that they do not really care about what happens to Rivers people and the PDP in the state, and that they have closed their eyes to the misfortune that looms as a result of their inaction.
“It is necessary that we warn as true party faithfuls that Rivers people shall not stand idly by and watch Rivers being given out as spoils of war due to inactions or actions of persons who wish to lead the state to chaos”. .
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