A group, the South-South Democratic Watchdog, has raised alarm over an attempt to interfere with the internal processes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and scuttle the emergence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 election.
“We have it on good authority that the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is allegedly making moves to influence the APC gubernatorial ticket in Rivers State, with the aim of frustrating the political standing of the incumbent Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
“According to our findings, this effort is being executed through intermediaries, including the current Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Bro. Felix Amaechi Obuah. A recent clandestine meeting is said to have taken place between Obuah and the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, Ben Nwoye”, the group said in a statement on Tuesday in Port Harcourt
The statement signed by High Chief Bekwelle Theophilus Owhonda, National Secretary of the group, revealed that those behind the plot are allegedly offering inducements, including promises of luxury property in Maitama, Abuja and significant financial offers to the agents they are persuading to key into the project.
“This pattern of political manoeuvring, allegedly linked to Minister Wike, reminds us of a troubling trend where individuals are used as instruments and discarded once their purpose is served.
“We strongly caution against any attempt to reduce respected party leaders to mere tools in a broader agenda that does not serve the collective interest”, the group cautioned.
It maintained that Governor Siminalayi Fubara holds the mandate of the people of Rivers State, stressing that the mandate stands firm through 2031. It said that any attempt, covert or overt, to undermine or steal the mandate will be firmly resisted by the people.
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“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the principles of the APC. The party must not be hijacked by external interests or internal compromise. We therefore call on the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, the National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain alert and ensure that party officials do not fall prey to inducements that could destabilise the party’s integrity.
“The South-South Democratic Watchdog strongly condemns any attempt to subvert the democratic will of the people and interfere in party affairs through underhanded means. The integrity of our political system must be protected at all costs”, the group insisted.
