Declare Rivers governorship result, PDP tells INEC

Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic [Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the collation process for Rivers and Bauchi States, saying that the losers can approach the Election Tribunal to seek redress.

Speaking during a solidarity visit to the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said it was illegal for anyone to stop an election midway.

He said: “I call on the INEC Chairman not to drag the country into crisis because of inconclusive elections. This maneuvers are 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”.

The PDP National Chairman said that leadership of the party were with the Rivers State Governor.

“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.

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

He said that the negative involvement of the military in the Rivers State Governorship election was a threat to the 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 APC Federal Government to work within the law at all times.

The PDP National Secretary said INEC should do what was 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.

Responding, Rivers State governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said that the enemies of the state were struggling to stop the collation and declaration of the governorship election.

He alleged that the police were inviting electoral and collation officers to intimidate them over collated results in the governorship election.

He said: “The Police is trying to intimidate Collation and Electoral Officers by inviting them for one offence or the other so as to impinge on the Collation Process.

“Imagine where the police are inviting the entire Returning Officers and 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,” Wike stated.

The Governor said that the enemies of the state had continued to roll out strategies to destroy the governorship election collation process.

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

Governor Wike said that the good people of Rivers State would overcome all the challenges thrown at the state by the system.

“Like I said, this victory will be the best. It will be the sweetest amongst all the states. That is what I see coming. 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,” he said.

Governor Wike said the political situation in Rivers State has exposed the negative aspects of the 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 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,” he said.