APC supporters protest against conduct of council primaries in Rivers

Hundreds of supporters of All Progressive Congress (APC) in four Local Government Areas of Rivers State yesterday stormed the state headquarters of the party along Forces Avenue in Port Harcourt, in protest against what they described as fraudulent council primaries.

The protesters drawn from Ahoada-West, Obioakpor, Bonny and Ikwere local councils regretted that APC had failed to abide by the message of change they were preaching.

The protesters with placards such as: “No primary election in Ahoada-West, We say No to consensus candidate, we need election, APC show example of change” among others alleged that the party leaders had continued to display dictatorship not considering the will of the people.

One of the protesters from Ahoada-West, James Abadi, lamented that the party failed to follow due process on the conduct the party primaries ahead of the local council election billed for May 23, this year.

He alleged that the party leaders adopted the process of selecting candidates of their choice, which is against the will of the people.

Abadi however urged the leaders of the party to ensure that free and fair primaries were held, warning that the people vehemently opposed the style of consensus candidate.

“APC has been preaching for change, but it is regrettable that what they condemned in PDP is exactly what they are doing now. It is a dangerous signal,” another protester, Sunny Animaku said.

Similarly, the protesters from ObioAkpor accused the former chief of staff to the state government, Tony Okocha of spearheading the hijack of ballot papers in a bid to favour his choice candidate.

However, Okocha in a swift reaction denied the allegation, saying he was in Abuja for his election case at the tribunal.

Protesters from Bonny Council also alleged that there was no election in the area, calling on the APC Chairman, Davies Ikanya to intervene.

Ikanya in his response assured the party supporters that their complaints would be addressed.