APP backs RSIEC on Rivers council poll, disowns faction

The opposition Action Peoples Party (APP) has thrown its weight behind the decision by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the local councils poll in the state.

APP’s National Chairman, Chief Uche Nnadi, in a statement on Friday, maintained that the decision by RSIEC to proceed with the conduct of the election was in tandem with Justice I.P.C. Igwe’s judgment, which mandates it to go ahead and conduct the poll tomorrow.

“Our party obtained that judgment, and we have a right to enjoy its benefits,” APP said.

Nnadi also disowned a factional group in Rivers State that claims to be the party’s authentic leadership.

Nnadi referred to the group as mere impostors who have never been party officials and called on the IGP to arrest and prosecute them.

The party insisted that Chief Sunny Nwokekoro was the State Chairman, who replaced Hon Kenneth Atata, the former chairman.

Expressing optimism that it would sweep all the chairmanship and councilors seats in the state, the party reiterated the call on the Inspector General of Police to be mindful and not allow the police institution to be further ridiculed by taking partisan positions.

The party, therefore, urged the IGP and other security agencies to provide adequate security and ensure the maintenance of peace, law, and order during and after the election, as ordered by the honourable Court.

“The IGP should know that he is also bound by this court order,” he said.

The party called on the people of Rivers State to “come out on Saturday to vote for the candidates of their choice while urging them to vote for APP candidates as the party presented the best list of candidates for the election who can develop and carry the state to the next level”.