My Running Mate Betrayed Me — Rivers AAC Gov’ship Candidate

The governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in Rivers State, Mr Biokpomabo Awara, has described his running mate who joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after resignation on Monday as a betrayer. Awara, who spoke to journalists after submitting a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, claimed that his former running mate was financially induced by the Rivers State government before taking the decision. The candidate, who cautioned Governor Nyesom Wike to be wary of him, urged INEC to stop the collation of governorship election results. Awara, who requested the results already announced in seven local government areas (LGAs) to be upheld, also demanded fresh election in 16 LGAs. He sought the removal of Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for being allegedly compromised during the exercise. He said, “In view of the careless crisis arising from all elections conducted by the REC in Rivers State since 2015, we appeal that the activities of the officials of INEC should thoroughly be investigated. “We also demand the removal of the REC and the heads of department at Rivers State INEC as it is clear that they and indeed most of the Rivers State INEC ad hoc staff have been compromised and cannot be trusted to regulate and superintend the conduct of credible election in Rivers State,” her said. The running mate to AAC governorship candidate, Mr. Akpo Bomba Yeeh, who announced his resignation from the party, said he took the decision over alleged complete hijack of the party structure by a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi. He also claimed that Amaechi planned to rig the governorship election using officials of the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Service (DSS) and the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS).

Orji Kalu To Jostle For Senate Presidency

Abia North Senator-elect, Orji Kalu, has told the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) to make him Deputy Senate President or he would contest for Senate presidency. Kalu said this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. His interest in the top Senate office adds to the troubles of the APC which is currently going through a cold war in its selection for leadership of the 9th National Assembly. Kalu said: “I am a very loyal party man. The party has zoned the senate presidency position to the North-East and I want to respect the party’s will but the second position is what we are not going to allow to leave the South-East. “So, as far as I am concerned, in the South-East, I am going to run openly on the floor of the House for the position of Deputy Senate President. “I am not going to listen to the party neither will I listen to anybody. Nobody that wants to be the Deputy Senate President is more loyal than I am to the party. “I have suffered for the party and have been called by Nigerians to come out. I want the party to respect the will of every other person and I am committed to democracy and contesting on the floor of the House.” Besides Article 50 of the Constitution and Article One, which he said gives lawmakers the right to elect their principal officers, Kalu reasoned with the APC that “if justice must prevail, you have to bring the Senate President from the North-East and you bring the Deputy Senate President to the South-East.” He added: “The chairman of the party is from South-South. The President is from North-West. The Vice-President is from South-West and also the Senate President will come from North-East. “Whether it is Senators Ahmed Lawal or Ali Ndume, this will be decided on the floor of the House.”