The deputy leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has rubbished statements credited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in the state, wherein they alleged that the APC was planning mayhem and bloodbath in the forthcoming elections.
According to him, the allegations made by the Director General of the Rivers PDP campaign council, Desmond Akwawor, show that the party has elevated lies to an act.
Peterside, who spoke on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, stressed that all the insinuations made by the PDP were exactly what the party was planning to do in the state and was only crying to attract cheap sympathy from the same Rivers people they have failed to make their lives better.
The Rivers governorship candidate of the APC in 2015 specifically accused Governor Nyesom Wike of the being the agent provocateur and one who has been the harbinger of violence in the state.
He stressed that the APC in Rivers State was within its bound to demand for the inclusion of its candidates on the ballot for the general elections, as doing otherwise will amount to denying the people the right to choose their candidates.
The former Rivers Commissioner for Works blasted the PDP campaign council for involving his home local government area of Opobo/Nkoro in allegation of using money to induce electoral officials.
“I am proud to come from Opobo/Nkoro local government and as a party stalwart in the area, there was no time such scenario took place. We are a peace-loving people and we will never be part of such plot,” he stated.
He equally denied accusations that the APC was working with the INEC, Nigerian Army and other security agencies to subvert the will of the people.
“Anytime you see Governor Nyesom Wike and his party shouting, just know that they have tried unsuccessfully to bribe security agents. This is the same old trick of Wike but his threats will fail woefully.
“Before, during and after the 2015 general elections, Rivers people know what Wike did with Police Commissioner Mbu. APC leaders were arrested with reckless abandon and locked up till after the election. So far, no such thing has taken place.
“Like an uninvited gatecrasher, Wike has been working in cahoots with his agents to frustrate APC’s genuine quest to be on the ballot in Rivers state. Despite INEC not yet doing so, Wike and his party are crying in an election that the party has not yet been listed. What does this tell you?
The former Reps member called on security agents to remain on alert and thwart every effort being made by the “PDP to instigate violence and turn around to lay the blame on APC.”
He laughed off allegations that the Minister of Transport held a meeting with some people to rig election in the state, querying “why would the minister hold meeting with anybody when the party is still fighting legitimately to have its candidates listed for the election in Rivers State.”
“Rivers people know those who are violent in nature, Rivers people know those who sponsored thugs that were arrested in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area last Friday, Rivers people know those who are desperate for power and would do anything to get it, Rivers people know their history,” he summed up.
