The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is linked to a plot to influence the coming elections in Rivers State.
The party also accused the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Princewill Chike, of being part of the alleged plan, saying he may play a role in selecting returning officers for the poll.
The allegation comes amid rising political tension in Rivers State, where parties are already positioning themselves ahead of the next election cycle.
The ADC made the allegation through its Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, who said Professor Chike belongs to the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political group said to be associated with Wike.
Enyi alleged that the vice chancellor was recommended by Wike for the UNIPORT job and later “imposed” on the university.
He also said the vice chancellor’s alleged political links can be seen at the entrance of the university.
According to him, “In order to show the public that he is truly Wike’s product, at the entrance of the university, what you will see is the signpost of the VC with the caption, ‘Academia Rainbow Coalition of the Renewed Hope,’ with his picture on it.”
The ADC spokesman further alleged that members of the Rainbow Coalition could be among those nominated as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officers for the election.
Concerns Over Returning Officers
Enyi said the alleged plan was troubling because the election had not yet begun, yet concerns were already surfacing over who would handle key electoral roles.
He alleged that “those he will nominate as INEC returning officers for the election must be members of the coalition.”
Returning officers are officials appointed to supervise voting and collation in elections. Their role is important because they help determine how transparent and credible the process will be.
The ADC said the worry is that the selection process could be influenced before voting even starts.
Questions for the Vice Chancellor
The party also questioned Professor Chike’s conduct ahead of the election, saying his alleged political involvement deserves public scrutiny.
Enyi said, “It’s not even election time yet, but see what he is doing. During the election, all those who will be recommended are definitely going to come from the coalition.”
He challenged the vice chancellor to prove the allegations wrong when the time comes for the appointment of returning officers.
“Professor Chike, only God knows what you have come to do in Port Harcourt. Let us see those you will recommend. Let us see whether they will rig the election,” he added.
UNIPORT, one of Nigeria’s leading federal universities, has not publicly responded to the allegation in the material available.
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