The African Action Congress (AAC) has reacted to the defection of its deputy governorship candidate, Akpo Bomba Yeeh to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
DAILY POST had reported that Akpo Bomba Yeeh on Monday announced his resignation from the AAC and defection to the Peoples Democratic Party.
In a letter addressed to his Governorship candidate of AAC in Rivers state, Biopkomabo Awara, Yeah said his resignation from the party was informed by alleged hijack of the party’s structure by the All Progressives Congress in the state.
But, reacting, the party, in a statement by its media office, alleged that Yeeh resigned under duress, adding that he was kidnapped, bribed with N200million and a Sports Utiity vehicle (SUV) and also promised a role in Governor Wike’s next cabinet.
“It’s not a surprise to us the African Action Congress (AAC) that our deputy governorship candidate, Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh, claimed he has resigned his candidature, and defected immediately to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” read a statement signed by Felix Enimini, Publicity Secretary to Progress Ogbokuma, the Rivers State Chairman of the party.
“The resignation/defection of Akpo Bomba Yeeh indicates high level of desperation of Governor Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party cohorts to retain power after the good people of Rivers State have rejected them by voting overwhelmingly for the African Action Congress (AAC) on the 9th of March, 2019.
“We wish to inform the general public that our deputy governorship candidate Akpo Bomba Yeeh was kidnapped by Wike agents at about 2:30pm on Sunday and was taken to government house in Port Harcourt where he was forced to resign/defect to the PDP and the sum of two hundred million naira, an SUV and accommodation were given to him. Governor Wike also promise to include him in his cabinet if re-elected into power.
“The press statement by Akpo Bomba Yeeh was written by Special Adviser to Wike on Media and Publicity and the allegations made against His Excellency, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi and the African Action Congress (AAC), were cooked up by Wike and his cohorts.
“The resignation/defection of Akpo Bomba Yeeh was under duress and inducement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Let me use this opportunity to debunk the purported rumour by the Peoples Democratic Party that the APC is holding Engr Biokpomabo Awara and his Chairman Progress Ogbokuma hostage so that they won’t defect to the PDP.
“Engr Biokpomabo Awara and his Chairman are men of integrity. No amount of money can compel and entice them to dance to Wike’s tune of “everyman has a price tag”, thereby defecting to the PDP to enable him achieve his desperate ambition.
“We the African Action Congress(AAC) strongly believe that our victory is sure with the help of God and the support of the good people of Rivers State.”