The Action Peoples Party (APP) has disowned a faction claiming the authentic leadership in its Rivers State chapter.
In a statement in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, Chief Uche Nnadi, referred to the group as mere impostors who have never been party officials, and called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to arrest and prosecute them.
The statement recognised Chief Sunny Nwokekoro as the chairman of the party in the state who replaced Hon Kenneth Atata, the former chairman.
The APP further supported the decision of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to proceed with the conduct of the local government election in the state.
“Our party’s National Working Committee endorses RSIEC’s decision to proceed with the election in obedience to Justice I.P.C. Igwe’s judgment, which mandates the Commission to conduct the election on Saturday, October 5th, 2024.
“Our party obtained that judgment, and we have a right to enjoy its benefits,” Nnadi said.
The party reiterated the call on the Inspector General of Police to “be mindful and not allow the police institution to be further ridiculed by taking partisan positions.
He said, “The RSIEC is under the command of a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to conduct the said election, and the Police cannot interfere with that order.”
APP therefore urged the IGP and other security agencies to provide adequate security and ensure the maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the election, as ordered by the Court.
“The IGP should know that he is also bound by this court order,” he said.
The party also called on the people of Rivers State to “come out on Saturday to vote for the candidates of their choice while urging them to vote for APP candidates, saying it presented the best list of candidates for the election who can develop and carry the state to the next level” the statement concluded.
He added that the APP is poised to win the majority of the seats in the state, as Governor Siminalayi Funeral has directed his supporters to join the party and contest under its banner.
