The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has publicly disavowed the upcoming visit of President-elect Bola Tinubu to the state.
In a statement seen by News About Nigeria on Tuesday, APC Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, made it clear that the party had nothing to do with Tinubu’s visit.
Tinubu is expected to spend two days in Rivers State, where he will commission a flyover at Rumuokwuta and Rumuola junction in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, as well as a Magistrate Court complex at the Moscow Road in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
However, the APC Rivers State chapter’s decision not to attend Tinubu’s events highlights the ongoing rift between the party and Governor Wike‘s administration. Nwauju accused the governor of attempting to paint a false narrative of the collapse of the APC structure in Rivers State, despite his previous statements boasting of the party’s strength.
The spokesperson added that Governor Wike wants the President-elect to believe that “there is no other opposition political party existing” in the state. Nwauju urged the governor to “play less divisive politics and exercise restraint in planting seeds of discord amongst opposition political parties.”
Nwauju also stated that the APC is currently focused on pursuing justice by challenging the outcome of the flawed March 18 elections at the Elections Petitions Tribunal. This development could further complicate the already strained relationship between the APC and Governor Wike’s administration.
It is yet to be seen how Tinubu’s visit to Rivers State will play out without the support of the APC Rivers State chapter. Nevertheless, Governor Wike has declared Wednesday a public holiday and encouraged residents to come out in large numbers to give Tinubu a rousing welcome. The political climate in Rivers State remains tense as the APC and Governor Wike’s administration continue to clash.
