The Labour Party in Rivers State has vehemently responded to allegations of election malpractice made by the factional Rivers State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Chijioke Ihunwo. In a video circulating online, Ihunwo asserted that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had manipulated election results in their favor during the 2023 general elections, claiming that the Labour Party had actually emerged victorious in the state.
The Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party in Rivers State, Gogo Wellington, reaffirmed the party’s stance, expressing that the recent claims only serve to validate their long-held belief that the Labour Party had indeed won the elections in Rivers State. Wellington emphasized a commitment to uncovering the truth, expressing confidence that further revelations would come to light amidst the ongoing discord.
Wellington conveyed deep concern about the state of democracy, highlighting an urgent need to address the undermining of the will of the people. Despite the party’s grievances, he stressed that they would not take matters into their own hands, but rather, await action from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly to institute electoral reforms.
The party’s statement further criticized the alleged unauthorized access to result sheets and denounced the manipulation of election outcomes by partisan individuals. Wellington underscored the Labour Party’s commitment to upholding the law while advocating for electoral reforms to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
It is noteworthy that Chijioke Ihunwo, who made the controversial allegations, is known to be an ally of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. His alignment with the governor follows a period of political upheaval, marked by an impeachment notice served on the governor by the Rivers State House of Assembly. This action led to a fracturing of the State Assembly and deepened the political schism in the state, stemming from a strained relationship between Governor Fubara and the former governor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The unfolding political crisis in Rivers State underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process, and the need to address the allegations of election fraud to uphold the integrity of democracy. While the accusations and rebuttals unfold, the focus remains on restoring confidence in the electoral system and ensuring that the voice of the people is duly respected.
