APC Raises Alarm Over Plot To Ridicule Rivers Traditional Rulers At Jonathan’s Port Harcourt Rally

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Nigeria 2015 Election Tuesday, January 27th, 2015

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised alarm over what it described as plot to ridicule the state traditional rulers at President Jonathan’s rally slated for Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

A statement issued Tuesday night in Port Harcourt by Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya reads:

“It has come to our knowledge that Rivers PDP under the leadership of Chief Nyesome Wike has written to traditional rulers in the state, directing them that the Presidency has requested them to report at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Wednesday to receive President Jonathan.

“This is false as no Presidency has made such a declaration or request. We understand that the traditional rulers will be made to move from there to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for the President’s rally so as to give the impression that they are supporting his re-election bid. This is not only condemnable and immoral but also wicked, deceitful and unacceptable,”

Dr Ikanya described the plot as mischief, pointing out that in all the states where President Jonathan has so far campaigned; there was never a case in which traditional rulers were made to wait and receive him at the airport or to attend such rallies.

He noted that, “during his rally in Kano, Mr. President visited the Emir of Kano. In Anambra, he visited the Obi of Onitsha, while in Ekiti, Ondo and other states no traditional ruler was compelled to come out to wait or receive Mr. President at the airport; instead, it was Mr. President that paid homage to these traditional rulers in their palaces.

“If we may ask, why drag our revered traditional rulers into the murky waters of politics and expose them to public ridicule while treating their colleagues in other states with the desired respect?

“Why must the PDP in Rivers State descend to this low depth and debase our traditional institution just because of desperation to shore up its doomed fortunes in the February general elections?”