Only political armed robbers will oppose credible elections ---Gov Wike
(Nigeria) Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has declared
that only those in support of political
armed robbery will kick against his
declaration that those who plan to rig
election in the state will be resisted.
Governor Wike also stated that desperation for power was behind the killing of Ogoni
people via an ill-fated military
operation last Monday and
Tuesday.
He said his administration
will stand firm to protect the
Ogoni people.
Speaking on
Saturday during an interdenominational Thanksgiving and Victory Celebration of the
historic Supreme Court verdict that
validated his election, Governor Wike said
he stands for free and fair rerun elections in Rivers State, declaring
that nobody will be allowed to subvert the mandate of the people
with the use of the military.
The governor noted that
it is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC, to conduct credible
rerun elections.
He, however, said: "Let me reiterate. If any Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC, officer is bent on rigging the rerun elections,
let him first tell his wife and children
where his will is located because
he will be treated as a political armed robber.
"Popularity is
tested on the ground. It is not by
carrying Army around to intimidate voters. As your governor, I don't carry army
around. How can a politician be campaigning with soldiers?"
The governor said no
matter the number of soldiers introduced in Rivers State, the people will protect
their votes and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
will emerge victorious in all the
rerun elections.
"I will
continue to threaten
political armed robbers. I will
stand firm against those who use guns to
steal votes."
Governor Wike who led
the congregation to observe a minute silence for those killed by the army during an
ill-fated operation in Ogoni Land on
Monday and Tuesday, announced that the Rivers State Government will cater
for the needs of the widows, their children
and all the loved ones of those who lost their lives.
He urged the people
to vote for the PDP in all the
forthcoming re-run elections
in the state.
"When I went to Luuwa for the 50th Birthday Celebration
of Senator Lee Maeba, I told our people
not to vote Senator Magnus Ngei Abe and
the All Progressives Congress, APC. There is no way I will play anti-party.
Magnus Abe is my friend, but the people of Rivers South-east Senatorial
District should vote Senator Olaka
Nwogu. We have a duty to make sure that the APC
does not win a single seat during the
March 19 rerun elections."
He said that
though he supports the security agencies
to fight against criminals and criminality, he will never support the
killing of innocent Ogoni people
as was the case during the ill-fated operation.
The governor
said that the
state will never be tired of thanksgiving, because
it was delivered from the evil
machinations of the enemies of Rivers People.
In his address, Ekiti
State Governor, Ayo Fayose said the Supreme Court verdict cleared the mess of the process and planted
the rule of law.
He described Governor
Wike as a man destiny who liberated
Rivers State from the shackles of political
bandage.
Also speaking, PDP
National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff said that the Supreme Court
Justices simply confirmed the will of
Rivers People by the verdict.
Preaching at the PDP
interdenominational Thanksgiving Service, Pastor David Ibiyeomie of the Salvation
Ministries said thanksgiving opens the
way for more blessing.
The PDP Thanksgiving and Victory Celebration for the Supreme Court
verdict attracted thousands of Rivers
People from the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
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