Rivers guber: UPP disowns candidate’s endorsement of Wike

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

United Progressive Party (UPP) has dissociated the party from the reported endorsement of governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, by its gubernatorial candidate, Prince Onumbu.
In a statement issued by the national chairman of the party, Chekwas Okorie, UPP said it has dismissed the purported endorsement of Governor Wike.
“UPP dismisses the purported endorsement of Governor Wike and strongly warns all party candidates for various elective positions to desist from unauthorized endorsement of candidates of other political parties.
“The leadership of the party shall sanction any candidate who engages in anti-party activities in accordance with the clear provision of UPP Constitution registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”, the party said in the statement.
It said in the particular case of Prince Onumbu, the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State who embarrassed and brought the party to ridicule by proceeding to endorse the governorship candidate of PDP in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has compromised the party’s governorship ticket in Rivers State which was given to him in trust.
“The Rivers State Chapter of the party has been directed to initiate a disciplinary action against him forthwith. For the avoidance of doubt, UPP is contesting all offices it fielded candidates for the 2019 General Elections except the position of President which the National Executive Committee (NEC) adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate. The party is not in alliance with any other political party”, the statement said.
UPP therefore urged its candidates, members and supporters to remain focused and work for the victory of UPP candidates across the country, saying the party fielded credible candidates for the general elections and expresses confidence that they will emerge victorious in the February 16 and March 2 polls.