The Action Peoples Party (APP) has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State for withdrawing from the upcoming local government elections slated for October 5, 2024, claiming that the move shows the PDP is afraid of losing.
The APP, confident in its chances, vowed to sweep all chairmanship positions in the 23 local government areas and the councillorship positions across the 319 wards in the state.
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The PDP, through its spokesperson Aaron Chukwuemeka, announced the party’s decision to boycott the elections during a stakeholders’ meeting held at its secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Chukwuemeka cited the ongoing case filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Chief Tony Okocha, challenging the conduct of the elections as the reason for their withdrawal.
He also accused the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) of excluding the PDP from a stakeholders’ meeting where the election date and other logistics were discussed.
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In response, APP Chairman in Rivers State, Sunny Wokekoro, dismissed the PDP’s explanation, accusing the party of making weak excuses and showing fear of defeat.
Speaking at a senatorial campaign in Ahoada East Local Government Area on Wednesday, Wokekoro said the PDP’s reliance on the APC-led court case was a poor justification for boycotting the polls.
He added that the PDP was well aware they would lose to the APP if they participated in the elections.
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Wokekoro stated, “On October 5th, the Action Peoples Party is poised to win all councillorship elections in the 319 wards and all chairmanship seats across the 23 local government areas. The people are with us, and so is God. Victory will be ours.”
He went on to criticize the PDP for hesitating based on a court case that it had no involvement in, saying, “There’s no law in Nigeria that prevents RSIEC from conducting elections. The PDP’s supposed popularity would have been exposed had they entered the race, and they would have been humiliated by the results.”
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Wokekoro reaffirmed APP’s readiness, stating, “Whether the PDP participates or not, even though they’ve cowardly backed out, we are prepared, and we will win.”
Meanwhile, Chief Tony Okocha, the dismissed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, has also raised concerns about the election.
He filed a suit against RSIEC, arguing that the election should not be held until the court rules on the matter. However, RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, maintained that the October 5th date is final.
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Speaking during a staff training session, Enebeli asserted that there is no legal obstacle preventing the election from going forward as planned.
The situation remains tense as the APP readies itself for what it predicts will be a major electoral victory, while the PDP continues to stay on the sidelines.
