Less than 72 hours to the August 30 local government elections in Rivers State, no fewer than 50 candidates have reportedly withdrawn from the contest and pledged support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by caretaker chairman Tony Okocha.
The candidates, drawn from various political parties, announced their withdrawal on Tuesday night during a visit to the APC Secretariat in Port Harcourt under the platform of the Coalition of All Party Candidates.
Confirming the development, Okocha said the individuals, who had been cleared by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to contest the polls, stepped down in favour of APC candidates.
“Over 50 cleared candidates by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), who are billed for the August 30 council polls from other political parties, visited our secretariat and announced their withdrawal from the race,” Okocha stated.
