The United Progressive Party (UPP) has dismissed the purported endorsement of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state for a second term by its governorship candidate Deacon Prince Onumbu.
The UPP gubernatorial candidate was among some governorship candidates that pledged to support the candidacy of Governor Wike in the March 2 governorship poll, recently.
But the UPP in a statement signed by the national chairman Chief Chekwas Okorie, warned all party candidates for various elective positions to desist from unauthorized endorsement of candidates of other political parties.
Chief Okorie said the party would not hesitate to sanction any of its candidates that engaged in unauthorised endorsement of candidates of other parties, stating that such action was embarrassing to its leadership.
“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).
“Prince Onumbu our 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 thereby compromising the party’s governorship ticket in Rivers State which was given to him in trust.”
Accordingly, he said the Rivers state chapter of the party has been directed to initiate a disciplinary action against Onumbu forthwith.
Besides, the statement also said: “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.”
It, therefore, urged its candidates across board, members, and supporters to remain focused and work for the victory of their candidates across the country.
The party said having fielded credible candidates for the general elections, it was confident they would emerge victorious in the February 16 and March 2 polls, and advised members to boldly go into the elections with the spirit and courage of the tiger, the symbol of its party.
