Guber poll: PDP explains why Wike should be declared winner

Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

Amidst the controversy rocking the suspension of the collation of the results of the governorship election in Rivers state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare its candidate, incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike as the winner.

The state chapter of the party in a statement by the Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, claimed that there was no ambiguity from results so far released in the governorship and state assembly elections, as Gov. Wike has been duly re-elected for a second term.

The Rivers PDP therefore, urged INEC to declare Gov. Wike winner of the election, adding that “the results from all polling units and constituencies where elections were concluded have confirmed and reaffirmed that Rivers people voted no other party, but the PDP.”

The statement read in part: “At the meeting that was attended by all stakeholders of the party in the state, including all the elected state assembly members, House of Representatives-elect as well as Senators-elect, with 26 state constituencies already declared in favour of the PDP, there is no iota of doubt that Wike has been re-elected by the good people of Rivers state.”

The party expressed confidence that from the results so far declared at polling units across the state, the remaining PDP candidates, including Wike, Sen. George Thompson Sekibo and Rep. Betty Apiafi will also be elected on the strength of the peoples’ votes.

Giving a summary of the results so far released by INEC, the state PDP chairman claimed in the statement “that while PDP garnered a total of 26 seats in the state House of Assembly election, AAC/APC got none. Again, at the National Assembly election, while PDP won a total of 14 seats, AAC/APC recorded zero.

“As we await the official declaration by INEC that our governorship candidate, Gov. Wike has been duly re-elected in line with the peoples’ votes and overwhelming wishes, I urge the people of Rivers state to remain vigilant and continue to support our party.

“The victories of February 23 and March 9 are victories for all Rivers people. By voting massively for PDP, Rivers people chose freedom, performance and merit over political gangsterism, impudence and impunity.”