The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has been accused of plotting to use violent means to disrupt the Local Government Council polls scheduled to hold throughout the State on Saturday, May 23, 2015. The State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) raised the alarm via a statement issued this morning in Port Harcourt by its State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

“We have it on good authority that, having failed in its efforts to stop the polls, including the ill-advised boycott of this democratic exercise which has been eagerly embraced by 22 other political parties in the State, the leadership of the State PDP has concluded plans to unleash mayhem on the state prior to and on Saturday, May 23, with a view to violently disrupting the council polls. The idea behind the sinister plot is to discredit the polls and lay the blame on APC, portraying the party as the one behind the insecurity in the state. It is also aimed to discredit Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for going ahead with the constitutionally-approved Local Government elections which the State PDP is desperate to sabotage after chickening out to avoid being disgraced by voters,” Dr. Ikanya said.

He alleged that PDP political thugs imported by PDP leaders have already started arriving the state for the unholy assignment. “As part of this satanic plot, an assassination attempt was carried out on May 19 against Victor Briggs, an aide to Governor Amaechi, with his Police Escort killed in the process. It is very unfortunate that Rivers PDP should be orchestrating more violence in the state after masterminding the death of over 100 APC supporters in the run-up to, and during the ill-fated elections of March 28 and April 11,” Ikanya said.

The Rivers APC Chairman cried out to the law enforcement agencies for help, saying: “We wish to once again call on the Police and other security agencies to be proactive this time and prevent the State PDP leadership from carrying out this unprovoked attack against APC members. They should act promptly to forestall another orgy of violence by those who have been threatening to cause mayhem in the Niger Delta region due to the ouster of President Goodluck Jonathan from office. This premeditated violence if not nipped in the bud could further lead to a crisis that may negatively affect the transition programme in the state.”

Dr. Ikanya however vowed that no amount of intimidation and evil machinations of PDP will stop the Saturday polls as the party lacks the constitutional right to prevent an exercise designed to promote democracy at the grassroots level and eagerly accepted by the majority of people of the state.

The APC State Chairman unveiled the official list of the 22 Chairmanship candidates that will fly the flag of APC during the poll as follows:

1. Hon. Augustine P. Ngo for ABUA/ODUAL

2. Mr. Sule Atago for Ahoada East

3. Samuel Eyiba for Ahoada West

4. Benibo Stanley for Akuku-Toru

5. Imie Benson for Andoni

6. Fred Vincent Fred-Horsfall for Asari-Toru

7. Omuso G. Abbey for Bonny

8. Eli Sogbeye C. for Degema

9. Hon. Fineman Olungwe for Eleme

10. Worlu Lucky C. for Emohua

11. Barr Reginald Ukwuoma for Etche

12. Badom Donatus for Gokana

13. Celestine Akpobari for Khana

14. Nnanta Gabriel Weli for Obio/Akpor

15. Oluo Anthony Chidi for Omuma

16. Nathaniel Iringeri for Ogu/Bolo

17. Jaja Loveday Michael for Opobo/Nkoro

18. Opi Nengiaomie Samuel for Okrika

19. Chief Kingsley A. Nwogu for Oyigbo

20. Hon. Bestman Amadi O.A. for Ikwerre

21. Chimbiko Iche Akarolo for PHALGA

22. Barizasi-Jane Felicia Nyaagbo for Tai

Dr Ikanya advised the candidates to run issue-based and violence-free campaigns as the party will not condone any act of violence in any form. “We have never been associated with violence and we will never be associated with it no matter the level of provocation or temptation from our opponents,” he stated.

•Photo shows Ikanya.