The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed surprise to hear Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State make another wild accusation to the effect that he had uncovered plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the forthcoming rerun election in favour of the opposition.

“We were not surprised because such tales coming from the governor fit perfectly well into his usual past time of trading on unfounded accusations just to prepare the ground for launching electoral mischief” the APC said in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Senibo Chris Finebone, today in Port Harcourt.

Continuing, the party said: “If indeed the governor is serious about his discovery and he was referring to the APC when he made reference to the opposition then we challenge him to make public his findings. The APC believes that it is mere smokescreen by the governor to divert attention from his readiness to deploy from his unholy book of electoral mischief and the APC is ready for him.”

The APC called on the INEC not to be distracted by such diversionary antics, but ensure that every aspect of the forthcoming rerun elections in Rivers State is transparent and credible to prove Governor Wike wrong.

On the statement by Wike claiming that he intimidated Governor Adams Oshiomhole with his presence in Edo State before the last botched election, APC said: “We believe without doubt that Gov. Wike exported militants and hoodlums to Edo State to rig election and cause mayhem there. A local saying has it that a man that has the penchant for bad sleep takes the habit to anywhere he goes.”

“It is sad that Gov. Wike is steadily imposing and reinforcing on Rivers State the notorious brand image of a state that thrives and possibly exports violence and everything negative. The APC believes that that image does not represent who true Rivers people are; indeed, the governor is on his own. Rivers people will recover their state from today’s vandals and the world will see the true image of Rivers people as bequeathed by the founding fathers of our dear state,” the statement further said.

On the widely reported amendment of some laws to enable the governor appoint local government caretaker committees perpetually, the statement noted that what the Rivers State House of Assembly has been goaded into doing is a naked rape of democracy reminiscent of the dark ages and, in any case, “we are politically back to the dark ages.”

“Those embarking on this political journey will ultimately find out that they will be held to account for their actions someday,” the statement concluded.

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