The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC has alleged a plot by individuals linked to the Rainbow Coalition to manipulate the forthcoming elections in the state.
The party specifically accused the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), Professor Princewill Chike, of being a member of the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party socio-political movement associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In a video clip sighted by Nigerian Newssphere, the ADC Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Chizy Enyi, alleged that Chike had publicly identified with the coalition and could nominate returning officers for the forthcoming election.
Enyi claimed that the vice-chancellor was recommended by Wike for the position and was subsequently imposed on the university.
He said, “In order to show the public that he is truly Wike’s product, at the entrance of the university, what you will see is the signpost of the VC with the caption, ‘Academia Rainbow Coalition of the Renewed Hope,’ with his picture on it.
“Those he will nominate as INEC returning officers for the election must be members of the coalition.
“It’s not even election time yet, but see what he is doing. During the election, all those that will be recommended are definitely going to come from the coalition.
“Professor Chike, only God knows what you have come to do in Port Harcourt. Let us see those you will recommend; let us see whether they will rig the election.”
The ADC spokesperson’s allegations come amid heightened political activities in Rivers State ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The party, however, did not provide independent evidence in the video to substantiate its allegations against the university vice-chancellor or establish that any proposed returning officers had been selected
