Rivers State PDP Aspirants Bemoan Disqualification Moves Induced by Wike
The internal crisis rocking the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic party has escalated as the former Minister of Education and governorship aspirant in the state, Nyesom Wike, is reportedly making moves to disqualify some other aspirants.
Sixteen aggrieved governorship aspirants of the party released a statement signed by a former commissioner and the Leader of the Rivers Mainstream Coalition, Prof. Isreal Owate, saying the National leadership of the party showed no concern about the turmoil in the chapter.
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.”
