The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has offered to provide a platform for the Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, and the former Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, to engage in a public debate over accusations of corruption levelled against each other.

This came as a political pressure group, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Project Reloaded, expressed confidence that despite the political developments in the state, the state remained predominantly a PDP state.

The CLO, in a statement issued on Tuesday on Port. Harcourt by its Publicity/Research Secretary, Mr. Livingstone Wechie, noted that both Amaechi and Wike had been engaged in accusations and counter-accusations of corruption against each other.

It said the allegations had pre-occupied political discussions in the state, especially as elections are at hand.

The statement said: “Following the challenge thrown last Saturday to the federal government and the PDP in Rivers State by Amaechi for an integrity test and the challenge thrown back to the governor by the former Minister of State for Education, Wike, for a public debate on corruption, the CLO in Rivers State offers its platform for the said debate which has become mandatory giving its expected impact on our people and the political rights and future of our land.

“The said public debate has become necessary given that both parties have consistently asked for the opportunity, considering the fact the public has been inundated with allegations and counter allegations of corruption and embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office with claims on both sides of documentary evidence”.

The statement added: “The current politics in Rivers State in the face of an upcoming elections will be more competitive as to who leads us next if the truth behind the outgoing administrations both at the state and the federal viz a viz transparency and accountability is well laid so that the innocent electorate will properly employ their stakes in the polity and position themselves on how to put incoming administrations to task for maximum performance.

“The media and the security agencies are hereby put on notice about our offer to provide a platform for a public debate for Amaechi and the former Minister of State for Education, Wike, following their request.”

The CLO suggested the Obi Wali’s International Civic Centre or the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre as venue for the debate. It however said it would accept any other venue chosen by the two politicians.

It said the CLO, in partnership with other civil society organisations, the National Orientation Agency and the media, would moderate the debate while both persons would be allowed to appoint an independent moderator each.

Una wan make physical war start abi? the verbal one wey dem dey fight is ok for now.

Who will be the referee

The debate will be fit for Wrestlemania 31 main event

wetin wike wan use debate?

Oya amaewu come and prove ur ranting...i knw he will never come for the debate.

Ameachi will never accept such a suicidal debate. Especially, as it will be a good platform for Wike to sell his candidature.

ON WHAT BASIS?
WIKE ONLY NEEDS DEBATE WITH APC ASPIRANT FROM OGONI OR OTHER RIVERS REGION THAY HAS NEVER PRODUCED GOVERNOR.
SITTING GOVERNOR HAS NOTHING TO BE TRASHING WITH AN ASPIRANT. HE IS LOOKING FOR CHEAP POPULARITY MORE THAN THE TRUANCY KNOWN FOR.