The Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ruling governor, Nyesom Wike warned yesterday that a fake list of returning officers for the March 19 National and State elections has been drawn up to aid in the rigging of the election.
The warning comes amid fears of possible escalation of election violence in the state following months of clashes between the rival PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike raised the issue when he met with the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Ndowa Lale, and spoke of possible imposition of politically compromised returning officers. Lale, a professor, is likely to be the chief Returning Officer for the forthcoming rerun elections, which have elicited high-profile interest.
He named one Otu Ekpeyong and an APC chieftain, Dawari George; the APC House of Representatives candidate for Akuku-Toru/Asari Toru Federal Constituency for the complicity in the list of returning officers during the reception he held for Lale and his management team at the state house in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government has already officially notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the alleged fraudulent plot through a letter addressed to the INEC national chairman while suggesting that the Vice Chancellor may have signed the illegal APC induced list without knowing that it was masterminded by allegedly fraudulent APC chieftains.
He warned officers of the institution to be vigilant and not be coerced into the rigging process.
“Lecturers who allow themselves to be used by the APC chieftains would face the wrath of Rivers people,” Wike said.
The governor said he is making these allegations publicly “because we want the world to know the desperation of the APC. The fraudulent list of returning officers for the rerun elections has been intercepted and we have officially written to the National Chairman of INEC.”
He reiterated his declaration that those who participate in election manipulation will be treated as political armed robbers. He said fraudulent returning officers will not be allowed to get away with their illegal plot.
He assured the University that Rivers State Government would support them in executing critical projects that would enhance academic success.
Governor Wike said he would visit the University of Port Harcourt to ascertain areas that require the support from the state government.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of UniPort, Lale congratulated Governor Wike on his victory at the Supreme Court; saying that the University would continue to partner with the State Government to advance learning.
He solicited the support of the governor in the completion of projects in the faculties of Law, Social Sciences and the Humanities.
