Governor Wike’s 5 Million Demand Draws Criticism From Political Parties in Rivers State

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to this demand and is saying that there is no basis for taking such action. An APC Chieftain said “The electoral process was a sham and we have already reported it to INEC and if INEC goes ahead with the declaration of results, we will challenge them at tribunal” You can’t impose political parties to pay such high fees just to campaign in the state.

Governor Wike has earlier announced that political parties should pay five million naira as security deposit before it can carry out campaigns in the state.

Wike made this decision after he got an intelligent report that political party members now destroy and loath high equipment at the venues were campaignsare held.

Wike is demanding the five million naira campaign payment deposits from all political parties, Wike made this decision after he got an intelligent report that political party memebers now destroy and loath high equipment at the venue

The governor said his decision was prompted by reports that some of the political parties were destroying state infrastructure while carrying out campaigns. He also accused some politicians of being unpatriotic because they deliberately destroys state properties.

Opposition Parties Weigh in on the controversy

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to this demand and is saying that there is no basis for taking such action. The party’s chieftain in the state Mr Darlington, said: “We have noted with concern the recent development of a directive from our governor on how he expects all political parties in Rivers State to conduct themselves during elections. We want to state unequivocally, that such directives are unprecedented and will not be tolerated by any legitimate political power in Nigeria. It is therefore imperative that they must be withdrawn immediately so as not to undermine public confidence in our democracy.”

The state chieftains council (SCC), which is made up of all the political parties in Rivers State, has also condemned Governor Wike’s demand for all political parties to pay 5 million campaign security funds. The SCC said: “We condemn such decision by Governor Wike because he should know that any change in government after five years would be unconstitutional.”

The APC Chieftain continued by saying that Rivers Political parties should not allow itself to be intimidated and compromised by Wike who has spent billions on elections in Rivers State. He accused Wike and his party of having forged receipt to prove their 5 million campaign security funds. The APC chieftain also said that this was done of the Governor’s selfish interest to divert all security funds paid by the political parties.

Conclusion

All Rivers Political parties have to stand together and reject the Governor Wike’s demand of five million naira security deposit from them before they can campaign in the state. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to this demand and is saying that there is no basis for taking such action. The APC chieftain Mr Darlington said that this was done of the Governor’s selfish interest to divert all campaign security money paid by the political parties.

Governor Wike’s 5 Million Demand Draws Criticism From Political Parties in Rivers State