The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday reacted angrily to media reports that the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, recently paid visits to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

“The APC would like to state that we were aware and did monitor each of those visits but decided not to make it a media issue in line with the party’s communication management strategy and based on our unflinching belief that the CJN is beyond the corrupting influence of Governor Nyesom Wike,” the party said in a statement in Port Harcourt signed by the Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone.

Continuing, the party said: “Having been brought to the public domain by the media, the APC would like to state that, satisfied that Wike’s visits were not to the knowledge of the revered CJN, we did not want to act in a way that would portray the CJN as someone that keeps bad company because the APC believes in the impeccable and incorruptible character of Justice Mahmud Mohammed. We also know that 10 Nyesom Wikes cannot compromise the CJN.

“However, it must be noted that, as part of monitoring the visits of the governor, we were able to identify a highly placed character in the Nigerian judiciary behind the plan and the real issues that prompted the visits.

“The excuse by the governor that his visit had something to do with the matter of appointment of Chief Justice for Rivers State flies in the face. That was a mere facade. We understand how government business works and the Governor needed not personally pay any visits to the CJN over that matter in the way it was done.

“Again, we would like Governor Nyesom Wike to make public other persons in the Federal judiciary he also visited within the period and reasons for such visits because information in our possession indicates that he met with other officials in the Federal judiciary.

“Finally, the APC would like its members and the Nigerian public not to lose sleep over the governor’s visits to the CJN as the respected Chief Justice Mahmud Mohammed is a man of untainted integrity that cannot fall for Wike’s filthy lucre.”

•Photo shows Governor Wike.