Police is Intimidating Electoral Officers from Announcing Rivers Guber Results, Says Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Wednesday gave a vivid graphic narration on how the Nigerian Police Force is allegedly conniving with some individuals to stop the collation and declaration of the March 9 governorship election results.

Speaking during a solidarity visit to his office by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, Wike said:

“The police is trying to intimidate Collation and Electoral Officers by inviting them for questioning for one offence or the other so as to impinge on the collation process.

“Imagine a situation where the police is inviting the entire Returning Officers, the entire Electoral Officers and the entire Electoral Officers because allegations have been made against the INEC officials. This is just to let the entire world see what we are talking about.”

The governor alleged that the unnamed “enemies of the state” continue to roll out strategies to destroy the election collation process.

According to him, “They go by this strategy, if it fails, they go by the other strategy. They brought in the Army, it failed. They have gone to the court and now they want to use the police.”

The governor assured that the good people of Rivers State would overcome all the challenges thrown at the state.

“Like I said, this victory will be the best. It will be the sweetest amongst all the states. That is what I see coming our way. There is no election that will be held in this state and another party will win.

“Not to talk about a party that is not on ground. They have failed and that is the truth of the matter,” Wike said.

The governor said the political situation in Rivers State has exposed the negative aspects of the Nigerian system.

“In the end, PDP will emerge victorious in this State. It is a victory that can be delayed, but not denied.

“This morning, the other political party went to court to stop collation. As God will have it, the court did not grant them their request.

“You see how funny it is. The candidate of AAC (African Action Congress – Awara Biokpomabo) said he won the election. The same candidate has gone to court to stop collation and seek for the cancellation of an election, he claimed that he won,” Wike said.

PDP National Working Committee led by the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus, early in his remarks, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the collation process in Rivers and Bauchi states, saying it’s illegal for anyone to stop an election midway.

“I call on the INEC Chairman not to drag the country into crisis because of inconclusive elections. This manoeuvre is not good for the nation’s democracy.

“He should go ahead and conclude the process of elections in Rivers and Bauchi states. We should move ahead. Those aggrieved should approach the tribunal,” Secondus said.

PDP National Chairman assured Wike of the party’s support in this trying period. “We are here to say that we stand with you. We have prayed with you in private and we are standing with you at this crucial and trying moment. We ask God Almighty to ensure that you cross this red sea,” he said.

Also speaking, the PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri said the military should concentrate on the protecting the nation’s territorial integrity instead of getting involved in election matters.

He said the negative involvement of the military in the Rivers State governorship election is a threat to nation’s democracy.

“The military should protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria. They should not be involved in Electoral Matters. The involvement of the military in the governorship election of Rivers State is an attempt to truncate the nation’s democracy,” he said.

He called on INEC, security agencies and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to work within the law at all times.

PDP National Secretary said INEC should do what is right regarding the governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State by declaring the results.

He described Governor Wike as a pillar of the party, who worked for the PDP when it mattered most.

“We are here to identify with you. If we talk of PDP, Rivers State is the first to be mentioned and you are the pillar of the party. We are confident that justice will be done. God is with you and the people of Rivers State are with you,” he said.

He noted that the people of Rivers State voted overwhelmingly for Rivers State governor because of his excellent works.