AHEAD of the House of Assembly and the National Assembly rerun in Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress on Saturday claimed that half of the members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state had joined the APC.
The state Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, told our correspondent that the discovery was made during the ongoing registration of members of the party (APC).
But the PDP dismissed the claim and said that its members were intact and poised to return lawmakers whose elections were annulled to the House of Assembly and the National Assembly.
Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Ikanya explained that with the latest discovery in the registration of members, the APC was sure of victory in any rerun conducted in the state.
The state APC chairman said the party was sure of victory, provided security agents would prevent violence during the rerun.
“More than half of the PDP members are registering with us. So, who would give them the vote that would give them victory when election begins? We are very sure of victory, provided that security agents will be on the ground to ensure the security of lives and property.
“This time round, people will come out to vote. Arrangement has begun for the National Assembly and the state House of Assembly rerun. In Rivers State, the PDP is not on the ground. We will win any rerun here,” Ikanya said.
But the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, said it was not possible for any PDP member to register for the APC in the state, adding that members of his party had vowed to vote and return the lawmakers who lost at the court to the legislature.
Nwanosike told our correspondent that the APC in the state was only banking on “federal might” but he said the main opposition party in the state would be disappointed at the end of the rerun.
“It is not possible for our members to go to the APC. The truth is that our members have vowed to vote and return the lawmakers to the House of Assembly and the National Assembly. How can people be interested in a political party that is built on falsehood?
“The APC in the state is only banking on federal might, but they will be disappointed. They know that the people of the state are with the PDP and they are going to stand by the PDP any day,” he said.