Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has
declared that the so-called partnership between the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and INEC to monitor campaign
finances ahead of 2019 elections is a witch-hunt targeted at the
opposition.
Speaking during a special appearance on
Channels Television Sunrise Daily broadcast from the Government
House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike described the
partnership as a political deception.
He said: "EFCC working with INEC to
investigate campaign finances is merely a smokescreen. It is
targeted at the opposition party.
"When have you heard that EFCC would come
up to say, as regards the ruling party, funds came from the
government. I will not be carried away by the so-called
EFCC investigation ".
Governor Wike noted that the EFCC is working
towards creating an atmosphere of advantage for the ruling
party in the long run.
He said: "The fund they want to
investigate is only when it has to do with the opposition states.
Take for example, EFCC said PDP spent money in the last 2015
elections.
"Has EFCC investigated those states that
were APC, like Rivers State at that time that funded part of their
election. Who is deceiving who? EFCC is only working to
witch-hunt the opposition. "
The governor regretted that since 2015, the APC
Federal Government has been unable to complete the Port Harcourt
International Airport . He said despite criticising Jonathan, the APC
Federal Government has refused to upgrade the airport.
"When you look at the whole thing,
you see the hatred. How this government does not like the people of
Rivers State ", the governor said.
Commenting on the 2019 elections, Governor Wike
said that the desperate rigging moves on August 18, 2018 at the Port
Harcourt State Constituency Three Elections indicate that the APC is
not ready for elections.
"Through the Port Harcourt State
Constituency Three Election, they revealed to us what they planned
for 2019. They don't want election. They want to use security
to rig", he said.
Governor Wike denied claims that he drafted a
Presidential Aspirant from another political party to fly the party's
flag. He stated that no single governor can achieve that.
"We have 36 States and Abuja. We have
about 14 governors. How can a governor of one state lure a
particular aspirant to run for the Presidential Election.
"I am not a member of the convention
planning committee. I am only providing the venue. I am not
going to be a member of any sub-commitees, so where does the
influence. In any case, if you like you do the election in
Lagos, people will still have influence", Governor Wike said.
He reiterated his position that certain
Presidential Aspirants are funded by the APC and planted in the PDP
ahead of the primary.
He said: "As I speak with you, just
yesterday, certain Presidential Aspirants and some people in the
ruling party met to take some steps to make sure that our convention
fails".
Speaking on the environmental challenge posed
by flooding, Governor Wike said that the State Government has
established an emergency response team to tackle issue.
He added that the State Government is working
with other stakeholders to end the prevalence of soot in the state.
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