… APC chieftain kicks
By: Felix Ikpotor
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has raised the alarm over the listing of hotels belonging to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and allies of the Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as Registration Area Centres (RAC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Port Harcourt.
Eze who raised the alarm in a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, said the choice of the hotels for the storage of sensitive materials and collation of unit results in the 2023 General Elections was a clear strategy to rig the polls.
He said the list of Registration Area Collation Centers (RACC) and RAC for Port Harcourt City Council released by INEC reveals that “Landmark Hotels, owned by Senator Olaka Nwogu, a former federal lawmaker and ally of Wike and Visa Karena Hotel, owned by Chief Sergeant Chidi Awuse, another PDP stalwart and Wike’s henchman, would featured as RAC for Oromineke and Oroworukwo communities.
“Others are White Palace Hotel, Bebec Hotel, Hotel Dance, Comfort Hotel, White House Hotel, MAAS Central Hotel, Danny T. Hotel, Orange Sea Hotel, Stanza Guest House, Thaland Place, Mainland Hotel, Ilo Garden Hotel, Mina Hotels, Otunkwe Guest House and Rachael Hotel.
“The ownership or management of the listed hotels are directly or indirectly linked to the PDP and Wike; therefore, shortlisting them as RAC for the purpose of the 2023 elections will undermine the status of INEC as an unbiased umpire and jeopardise the commission’s reputation built over the years,” he said.
Eze called on the commission to rescind and withdraw its approval of the properties owned by members of the PDP for use as Registration Area Centers (RAC) and revert to the use of public schools or community halls as is the case in other local government areas.
“Same purpose for which the above-listed private properties were approved can be taken care of by government schools and town halls in the area such as Oroworukwo Town Hall, RumuWoji Town Hall, State School, Elekahia, State School, Orominieke, Ogbumnuabali Town Hall, etc”.
Expressing confidence that INEC and its officials will remain neutral in the discharge of the commission’s responsibilities, Eze reminded officers of the commission that INEC is in the glare of the world and should be courageous to do the right thing at all times and provide a level playing ground, secure the commissions’ image and protect Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
