Rivers ADC dismisses reports of alliance with Wike’s Rainbow Coalition

The leadership of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State has condemned what it described as false and misleading reports in a section of the media alleging that a purported “ADC faction” has collapsed into the Rainbow Coalition, a political structure led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The party insisted that there is no faction within its fold in the state, saying the ADC remains one united political party under the Senator David Mark-led duly recognised National Executive Committee.

It also said the party has duly constituted structures across Rivers State.

The State ADC Publicity Secretary, Chizi Enyi, stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and sent to newsmen.

Enyi further said individuals parading themselves in the said reports as representatives or leaders of the ADC are neither officials nor recognised leaders or authorised spokespersons of the party in the state; hence, they have no mandate whatsoever to speak or act on behalf of the party.

The Rivers ADC spokesman stated, “Any political declaration, alliance, endorsement or purported ‘collapse’ announced by such individuals is entirely personal and cannot, under any circumstance, be attributed to or bind the African Democratic Congress.”

More disturbing, the party explained, is that the publications repeatedly refer to an alleged “Ibe Kachukwu faction” within the ADC which it claims does not exist in the state.

“We challenge anyone to identify any official, leader or recognised stakeholder of the African Democratic Congress by that name either in Rivers State or within the National Leadership of the Party.

“The glaring factual blunder completely destroys the credibility of the publications and raises serious questions about the verification process employed before they were released to the public.

“It reinforces our position that the reports were deliberately concocted to mislead the public and create a false impression of division within the ADC where none exists,” the statement added.

He also called on all security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate the activities of individuals falsely presenting themselves as officials or representatives of the ADC to determine whether offences relating to impersonation, false representation, conspiracy, forgery or any other violations of the laws of the country have been committed.

The statement continued. “The ADC will pursue every lawful means available to protect its identity, safeguard its integrity, and ensure that those who seek to deceive the public by falsely holding themselves out as representatives of the Party are held accountable in accordance with the law.

“We reassure our members, supporters and the people of Rivers State that the African Democratic Congress remains united, focused and steadfast in its commitment to providing the credible leadership and good governance that our State deserves.

“No amount of misinformation, sponsored propaganda or political mischief will derail our resolve.”