New Telegraph

LG Polls: Fears as PDP, APC plot to stop Fubara

•Gov alerts on plans to frustrate governance, induce violence

There are fears in Rivers State that the local government election scheduled to hold on October 5, may not go ahead over the alleged plot by the supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Barr. Nyesom Wike, to stop the election through the courts.

As the political crisis rocking Rivers deepens due to the prolonged feud between Wike and Governor Simimialayi Fubara, the local government election, which is supposed to usher in elected candidates to run the affairs of the state’s 23 local government areas have come under serious threat.

With the government secretariats still under lock and their entrances manned by security operatives, Fubara’s men, who he appointed on caretaker basis to prepare ground for the October election, are not contesting under PDP, a disturbing situation for Wike’s camp.

Although, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has unveiled the Voters Register to be used for the council polls, and has also assured voters of its readiness to conduct a credible election, the RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd) has disclosed that the commission received the Voters Register from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the legal issues before it but there are fears in some quarters that there will be more complex legal issues that may prevent the election from taking place.

According to informed sources, the supporters of Wike in the PDP and a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), controlled by Tony Okocha are working hand-in-hand to ensure that the election did not hold, fearing that once Fubara’s loyalists, who got the APP ticket win the council polls under the Action People’s Party (APP), then Fubara’s reelection is half won.

Although, Okocha, who is Rivers representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has been removed by the courts as APC caretaker chairman, and replaced by Chief Emeka Beke, he continues to pull strings with the Abdullahi Ganduje-led national executive of the party.

One of the sources, who preferred not to be quoted for the report, said that because Fubara and his supporters resolved not to use the PDP to contest the coming council polls, the camp of Wike is worried that the party will lose the influence it has over Fubara and other elected officers.

The source said: “There is a plot in progress to stop the October 5 local government election through the court in Abuja. It is a collaborative effort by some loyalists of Barr. Nyesom Wike in the PDP and the APC faction led by Tony Okocha.

“The move to stop the election from holding is far bigger than what some of us can imagine.”

Meanwhile, Fubara has accused his adversaries of having the plan to frustrate governance, and cause distraction with provocative acts that are intended to induce violence, vowing to spend his time in office executing tenable programmes and delivering services that would both improve the quality of life.

He also urged wives of police officers to be deliberate in advising their husbands to continue to discharge their duties in a professional manner since it is the best way to defend the truth.

Fubara spoke when he received in audience the National President of Police Officers Wives’ Association (POWA), Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, who is also the wife of the Inspector-General of Police, at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The governor said: “As a government, I know that you know all the stories around us. But we will continue to do the best we can for our people.

“At the end of the day, what people want to see or what they want to hear is the mark that we have made. It is not the level of distraction that we have been faced or that is confronting us.

“It is the impact that we have made in governance that will count. So, we will make sure that we continue to do that, focusing on the ball.

“We know that we have started well; one day, it will end, and we will leave. So, because we know that we have decided to take the path of peace (we are happy).”

He enjoined wives of police officers to fervently pray for his administration, and ensure that they advise their husbands to continue to stand on the path of truth.

The task, he noted, might be very challenging for them but it should not matter whose ox is gored, because it is only the truth that eventually will last forever.

Fubara also harped on the importance of building a good name that should be reckoned with in history and serve as reflection of how well one has conducted himself in the service of the people.

He said: “When that name is mentioned somewhere, let people say, ooh, this is a good man. You won’t be there again to defend it but the name can make you pass through. The truth is that we are the head, but you are the neck that controls the head.

“So, help us, pray for Rivers State; intercede for us. There are places that we cannot reach, but our message today is going to those places. So, please, that is the request we are making as a government. We do not want any trouble. What we are doing here is governance.

In her speech, Mrs Egbetokun said they were in Port Harcourt to officially open for use the POWA Shopping Complex that was built by the branch of the association in the State.

Mrs Egbetokun explained that it was their duty as leaders at the national headquarters to go round facilities and branches of the association to see what progress has been made or challenges faced by members, including windows.

She said, “We are here in this state. The chairperson here told us that she has built a POWA Shopping Complex. So, we are here to commission it, and by the special grace of God, we have done that this afternoon.

“And we are able to empower our women, those who need our support, and that is what we have done. But it is actually a tradition in POWA that whenever we are in a state, we like to visit the Governor, and let him know about our activities. That is why we are here this evening, Sir.”

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