TheCable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state says “it is ready” for Nyesom Wike, governor of the state, asking him to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair legislative rerun election in the state.

In a statement on Thursday, Chris Finebone, the party’s spokesman in Rivers, said Wike’s allegation was only a smoke screen to divert from the public and perpetrate his “mischief.”

The spokesman urged INEC not to be distracted but to carry out its duties transparently.

Finebone criticised the Rivers house of assembly for “amending some section of the state’s laws to enable the governor appoint local government caretaker committees”.

“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,” Finebone said.

“We believe that it is mere smokescreen by Wike to divert attention from his readiness to deploy from his unholy book of electoral mischief and the APC is ready for him.

“INEC must ensure that every aspect of the forthcoming rerun elections in Rivers is transparent and credible to prove Gov. Wike wrong.

“We believe that what the Rivers assembly has been goaded into doing is a naked rape of democracy reminiscent of the dark ages. Those embarking on this political journey will ultimately find out that they will be held to account for their actions someday.”