The Rivers State chapter of the Labour Party has distanced itself from allegations made by one of its chieftains, Prince Favor Reuben.
Reuben had alleged that the Action Peoples Party, APP, is engaging in irregularities by selecting its candidates for the upcoming October 5 local government elections without following due process.
Reuben, who described the APP as a “social club”, accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Chief of Staff, Eddison Ehie, and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of orchestrating the APP’s candidate selection process inside the Government House in Port Harcourt.
He claimed their involvement is tantamount to anti-party activities, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Reacting to the claims by Reuben, Gogo Wellington, the Labour Party Publicity Secretary in the state, urged the public to disregard any statements not issued by the party’s State Working Committee.
Speaking in an interview with DAILY POST, Wellington emphasized that the Labour Party maintains a positive relationship with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), commending the commission’s professionalism.
Wellington further expressed confidence in RSIEC’s ability to oversee the activities of other political parties and ensure compliance with the law, and clarified that it is not the Labour Party’s position to comment on unsubstantiated allegations.
“We would want the general public to kindly disregard any statement that does not emanate from the State Working Committee of the party or the executive council of the party in the state.
“Because for us as a party, we have a very wonderful working relationship with the RSIEC at the moment. Being that the RSIEC has so far conducted itself or herself very professionally in the processes leading to the election.
“So any other thing that any other person is saying is alien to us as a party, as we are working in proper coordination with the RSIEC and I believe the RSIEC has the capacity also to monitor the activities of other parties for everything to be in line with their regulations.
“So, it’s not for us to start speaking to such facts without proof,” he stated.
