Embattled rivers state governor Similaye Funbara had reportedly joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Funbara resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the humiliation received by rivers state assembly members reported to have been screened out by the state assembly election screening panel headed by Hon. (Barr) Muraina Saubana Ajibola, and Hon. Ishake Yamawe (secretary of the panel).
Tonye Cole and not more than fifty aspirants loyal to Funbara were screened out of contest for the primary election due to certain inconsistencies and non compliance with the guidelines and constitution of the APC.
Funbara- known to be a political godson to Nyesom Wike has been in supremacy battle with his godfather after the duo crossed paths while claiming control of the state assembly. He was eventually impeached in what seems like a dramatic plot, leaving the state under the control of military administrator for six months and more. It took the intervention of the presidency to resolve the crisis, after which Funbara was reinstated.
However, reports from daily newspapers confirmed that Funbara joined the NDC offcially on Monday, after swift consultation with his followers across the state. Sources also gathered that the members of the house of assembly joined him to move into the NDC, while some members of the state executives might join later. The prompt movement of Funbara and his allies into NDC might be to manoevre the electoral act which restricts members of a political party who partook in a primary to move into another party after submission of nomination forms, and took part in its primaries.
In the meantime, Hon. Tanko Yamowa (secretary of the committee), on Monday, it said the list is circulating on various platforms and is unauthorised and false.
The statement read: “The attention of the party leadership has been drawn to the circulation of a purported list of cleared and uncleared aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly currently making rounds across various media platforms.While categorically stating that the said publication is false, unauthorised, and does not emanate from the appropriate party authorities. He reiterated that the committee’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and due process throughout the entire exercise.
“It is important to note that the screening exercise conducted by the committee headed by Muraina Ajibola was concluded less than 24 hours ago, and no official list has been released by the party at this time.
“As a responsible political party, we are guided by established procedures, rules, and timelines regarding the publication of screening results and related information. Any official communication concerning the status of aspirants will be communicated through the appropriate channels in due course.
“We therefore urge party faithful, aspirants, supporters, and the general public to disregard the purported list and treat it as the handiwork of mischief-makers whose intention is to create confusion and unnecessary tension within the party.”
