The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, has congratulated the PDP candidate for the Rivers State gubernatorial race, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, for successfully receiving the certificate of return from the national leadership of the party in Abuja, last Tuesday.
Akawor led other party leaders to the PDP Wadata House National Secretariat in Abuja where Fubara was presented his certificate of return amid pomp and pageantry.
Speaking of the epoch making event during a reception in honour of the candidate at the party’s State Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Akawor expressed satisfaction with the choice of the Rivers people and their show of support towards Fubara.
Akawor noted that the primary focus of the party now was to retain the winning streak the party has sustained in the state since 1999, which Fubara was set to do.
He added that the party had no rival in the state, adding that the election would be a walk over for the party whose leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, has worked assiduously in the last seven years, through strategic projects’ delivery with meagre resources, to change the landscape of the state, stating that the projects of the governor would be the selling point in the campaign of the party to win and consolidate on.
While putting the records straight regarding the story making the rounds that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made an attempt to arrest the Gubernatorial candidate of the PDP on arrival from Abuja at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Akawor stated that workers of the airport stationed at the tarmac were the ones who restricted Rivers youths from accessing the private plane of the candidate and his entourage, after a long wait due to harsh weather conditions.
Akawor stated that the videos making the rounds have buttressed his point, adding that the men at the airport on reflective jackets did not carry the EFCC logo or crest.
He clarified that PDP members did not at any point attack or assault EFCC operatives.
It was learnt that the EFCC operatives were reportedly beaten as they made to arrest the PDP flag bearer who had gone to Abuja to receive his certificate of return.
It is, however, unclear if the anti-graft agency officials suffered serious injuries.
Akawor said that while the purported incidentwas regrettable, it raised a high sense of excitement and apprehension among party members and leaders.
The state PDP chairman made it clear that there was no corruption case against Fubara as the courts have handled the purported case and delivered judgement on the matter, years ago.
He appealed to operatives of the EFCC to leave officials of the Rivers State Government alone, insisting that the commission has no powers to arrest and prosecute the state government officials.
Akawor advised the leadership and operatives of the EFCC to look elsewhere for corrupt officials in government, saying that many reported cases of corrupt Federal Government officials and appointees were being ignored by the anti-graft agency.
Responding during the reception, Rivers State PDP Governorship Candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, thanked the PDP for believing in him and his ability to continue and consolidate on the giant strides of the leader of the party in the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, noting that his desire was to unite the party, because only a united party can win elections.
He expressed gratitude to the elders, leaders and party faithful for their relentless support and for the hands of fellowship extended to him by other aspirants, which has boosted his confidence that the PDP was an indivisible party, with a common goal to better the lives of Rivers people after winning elections.
Reacting to the alleged attack, the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said its operatives were rudely intercepted from arresting the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.
The anti-graft agency alleged that thugs who breached the security of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, last Tuesday night, blocked the operatives from carrying out their lawful duty.
A statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Wilson Uwajeren said, “The armed thugs assaulted operatives of the commission who demonstrated commendable restraint under extreme provocation. The commission condemns the blatant attempt to obstruct justice, warning that its civility should not be taken for granted”.