The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged a plan by individuals associated with the Rainbow Coalition to influence the conduct of the 2027 general elections in the state, naming the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Professor Princewill Chike, among those it claims are connected to the alleged scheme
The allegation was made in a video clip in which the party’s Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Chizy Enyi, accused the Vice Chancellor of being a member of the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party socio-political movement formed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
Enyi claimed that Chike, whom he said had publicly identified with the coalition, could play a role in the selection of returning officers for the forthcoming election
According to the ADC spokesperson, the Vice Chancellor was recommended by Wike for his appointment and was allegedly imposed on the university
He further alleged that individuals nominated by Chike as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officers could be drawn from members of the coalition
“It’s not even election time yet, but see what he is doing. During the election, all those who 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.”
Enyi also challenged the Vice Chancellor to demonstrate that any persons recommended for electoral duties would be selected independently of political considerations
“Those he will nominate as INEC returning officers for the election must be members of the coalition.”
He added:
“Professor Chike was not only recommended by Wike to be the VC but that he was imposed on the university.
The ADC’s claims come ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party raising concerns over the potential influence of political actors and affiliated groups in the electoral process in Rivers State
The allegations remain claims by the Rivers ADC spokesperson, and no independent evidence establishing a plan to rig the 2027 elections was provided in the statement cited above
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