Governor Nyesom Wike has declared that the so-called partnership between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor campaign finances ahead of 2019 elections is a witch-hunt targeted at the opposition.

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Speaking during a special television appearance from the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Governor Wike described the partnership as a political deception.

“EFCC working with INEC to investigate campaign finances is merely a smokescreen. It is targeted at the opposition party.

“When have you heard that EFCC would come up to say, as regards the ruling party, funds came from the government. I will not be carried away by the so-called EFCC investigation.” Governor Wike noted that the EFCC was working towards creating an atmosphere of advantage for the ruling party in the long run.

“The fund they want to investigate is only when it has to do with the opposition states. Take for example, EFCC said PDP spent money in the last 2015 elections.

“Has EFCC investigated those states that were APC, like Rivers State at that time that funded part of their election. Who is deceiving who? EFCC is only working to witch-hunt the opposition.”

Commenting on the 2019 elections, Governor Wike said desperate rigging moves on August 18, 2018 at the Port Harcourt State Constituency 3 elections showed that the APC is not ready for elections.

“Through the Port Harcourt State Constituency 3 Election, they revealed to us what they planned for 2019. They don’t want election. They want to use security to rig,” he claimed.

He denied claims that he drafted a presidential aspirant from another political party to fly the party’s flag, insisting that no single governor can achieve that.

“We have 36 states and Abuja. We have about 14 governors. How can a governor of one state lure a particular aspirant to run for the presidential election.

“I am not a member of the convention planning committee. I am only providing the venue. I am not going to be a member of any subcommittees, so where does the influence come from?

He reiterated his position that certain presidential aspirants were being funded by the APC and planted in the PDP ahead of the primary.