Gov Wike declares Thursday, Friday work-free days for polls rerun

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(Nigeria) Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared Thursday and Friday as work free days in the  state  for the smooth  conduct of  the  rerun  legislative elections on  March 19, 2016.
He stated that  the  work free days will enable  workers in the private and public sectors fully  participate  in the rerun  polls.
The governor  also stated that  he believes  that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will conduct  free, fair and credible rerun  elections from the assurances  he received  from INEC.
In a state-wide broadcast  on  Wednesday,  Governor Wike said : " I hereby declare Thursday March 17th and Friday March 18th 2016 as work free days in Rivers State to enable workers from the public and private sectors fully participate in the re-run elections and exercise their franchise. Consequently, all public and private offices, including banks must remain closed for the duration of the holidays."
He stated that  security  agencies  have definite instructions  to enforce  the restrictions  on human and vehicular  movements  on election  day.
The governor directed the security  agencies to : "arrest any person or group of persons, including government vehicles, that violate this order and or attempt to act in any way to undermine the peaceful conduct of the re-run elections in the State. "
While urging the  people of the state to turn out in their numbers to participate  in  the  elections,  Governor  Wike  noted that he has been  assured by the armed forces that they will not deviate from their constitutional role of safeguarding  law and order before, during  and  after  the  elections.
He said : "In line with the ongoing security operations to rid the state of cult-induced violence and criminality, I have requested the armed forces to increase security surveillance around some identified flashpoints of cultism and banditry in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Akuku Toru, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West, Emohua, Ikwerre, Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of the State.
"There is really nothing to fear for every law-abiding citizen of the State while exercising our right to vote. On the Election Day, simply take your permanent voters cards (PVC), walk to your polling units to be accredited, peacefully cast your vote and, wait at a reasonable distance as allowed by law until the results are counted, announced and documented.
"Do not submit to any intimidation by those who seek to scare you away from voting with the military. Take note that no person is allowed to go to the voting areas with uniform security personnel or thugs."
He urged the  people  of  the  state  to  take advantage  of  the  court-ordered rerun  elections  to exercise  their democratic  rights to vote candidates  of their  choice.
He said : “You will also be electing worthy representatives to the State House of Assembly to join me to deliver our developmental agenda and help chart the future of our State through effective legislation and oversight.
"Now that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct the court-ordered National and State Assemblies’ re-run elections in Rivers State, it is incumbent that we take full advantage of the opportunity to, once gain, exercise our democratic rights to vote for the candidates of our choice".


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