The Labour Party (LP) in Rivers State has responded to the allegations made by Chijioke Ihunwo, a factional Rivers State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), regarding the rigging of election results in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general elections.
In a video circulating on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Ihunwo claimed that certain individuals, including the embattled Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and member representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Okey Chinda, were declared winners despite not securing legitimate victories.
According to Ihunwo, the Labour Party was the actual winner in Rivers State, casting doubt on the integrity of the election results.
In response, the LP’s Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Gogo Wellington, expressed belief that the recent revelations confirmed the party’s victory in the state.
He emphasized the need for truth to prevail in the face of electoral malpractice.
Wellington stated, “This to a large extent goes to confirm what we have been saying since the conclusion of the 2023 presidential and gubernatorial elections, that the Labour Party undoubtedly won the elections here in Rivers State.”
He also commented on the state of democracy, lamenting the alleged manipulation of election results and expressing hope for a resolution through the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly.
Wellington added, “We are law-abiding citizens and we will not take laws into our hands. We watch and wait to see what INEC will do by way of electoral reform.”
The political implications of these allegations are significant, especially considering Ihunwo’s affiliation with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, which stems from a rift between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The LP’s response adds fuel to the fire of controversy surrounding the legitimacy of election results in Rivers State, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the impact of such allegations on the state’s political landscape.
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