Mr Imie Benson, the flag bearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the local government chairmanship polls in Rivers State, has challenged Gov. Nysom Wike on transparency in the forthcoming elections.
Benson, who is the candidate for Andoni local government area on the platform of the APC, made this know to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
He said he was optimistic for victory at the polls, come April 17, 2021.
“I wish to state that the governor should allow the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) conduct a free, fair and credible election in Rivers and Andoni in particular.
“If President Muhammadu Buhari did not support a credible election, and if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not conduct a credible election in Nigeria, the likes of Gov. Wike and other opposition candidates wouldn’t have emerged governors in their respective states.
“I believe, if that happens and with the collective efforts of our supporters, we shall win the 11 Councellorship positions at the ward level and also the chairmanship position of the LGA,” he said.
Benson also said that members of the APC were actually yearning for the local government election.
“Partisan politics entails participating in elections, it entails to vote and be voted for, it’s not a social club.
” For some years now, APC in Rivers has not been on the ballot, they’re rather more ceremonial than an actual political party.
“Indeed, majority of our party faithfuls are ready for the forthcoming local government election in the state,” he added.
The chairmanship candidate also said that the APC has concluded a peaceful primary across the 11 wards in Andoni LGA.
“We were four candidates billed to contest the local government party primary but before the election proper, three of the candidates stepped down in support of my candidature.
“This move indeed reduced tension and made us conclude without much rigour. Most importantly, I’ve emerged as the flag bearer for the party and I’m so delighted.
“Indeed, am thankful to the party leadership and members of the party, especially, those of them who aspire to be on the ballot this time around,” he said.
Benson also said that due process was keenly followed during the primary, revealing that representatives of the state party leadership and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission were on ground to oberseve the process.
“We are ready for the election having concluded the primary and I’m very optimistic that we shall be victorious,” he noted. (NAN)
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