Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared as erroneous, the impression in the media, that the party has a governorship candidate for the 2019 elections, purportedly selected and imposed on the chapter by former Governor, Chibuike Amaechi.

The APC, in a statement signed and made available to journalists by the party’s spokesman, Warisenibo Chris Finebone, stated that it is grossly preposterous and far from the truth as there is no provision for the appointment of a governorship candidate or indeed any candidate whatsoever in the constitution of the APC or in the guideline for the conduct of primaries of the party.

The statement noted that the attention of the party “has been drawn to a strange and erroneous impression being promoted in the media based on ignorance and/or mischief that the leader of APC in Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has ‘appointed’ Arc. Tonye Dele Cole as the governorship candidate for the party for the 2019 elections.”

“We wish to reiterate that APC in Rivers State is committed strictly to adhering to the process for conduct of primaries for the 2019 elections in line with the constitution of the Party and guidelines as proposed, ratified and published by the national leadership of the Party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby stated for the benefit of the media, our members and the general public that a governorship candidate for our party in Rivers State will only emerge during the governorship primary to be held later this month.

“We urge all stakeholders to disregard the misconception being created and promoted in the media. Our party leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has not and will not arrogate to himself the extra-constitutional powers to appoint a candidate for the party for any position whatsoever and howsoever as being wrongly peddled. He only has the God-given right to express his preference just like each and every one of us has the inalienable right to privately and publicly express our preference on any issues,” the statement said.

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