The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, has claimed the federal government is appointing only Vice Chancellors that would help the All Progressives Congress (APC) rig the 2023 elections.
Wike alleged that only academics who agree to submit names of politically exposed lecturers as returning officers to rig elections for APC, are being appointed as Vice Chancellors of federal universities.
He however warned Vice-Chancellors and lecturers that those contemplating rig elections in Rivers State will be treated as coup plotters.
The Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, in a statement in Port Harcourt, stated that Wike made the during the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of 9200 capacity ultramodern convocation arena of the University of Port Harcourt by the Rivers State government on Tuesday.
Wike said it is worrisome that Nigeria has degenerated to the point where politicians now influence who becomes a Vice-Chancellor of a federal government for the purposes of rigging elections.
He said: “Let me warn, not one person will dare to rig election in Rivers State. Not one person will dare it. I have told people, allow the university community to produce those who will be leaders of this country.
“Don’t turn university community to be where you will have politicians who manipulate and change the mandate of the people. Anybody who does that, you know it is a coup and you know the punishment for coup plotters.”