INEC presents certificates of return to Wike

Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday presented the certificate of return to the re-elected Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

INEC Returning Officer, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Teddy Adias, had declared Wike winner after he polled 886, 264 votes to defeat African Alliance Congress candidate, Biokpomabo Awara, who scored 173, 859 votes.

Rivers state Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo and members-elect of the state House of Assembly also received their certificates of return.

National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, presented the certificate of return to Gov. Wike in the presence of his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike.

Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, the governor dedicated his re-election to the good people of Rivers state whom he said overwhelmingly voted for him.

He also dedicated the victory to those allegedly killed by the military while defending their votes and democracy, declaring that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.

“Today, I dedicate this victory to the people of Rivers state. I also dedicate this victory to those killed by the army in defence of votes and democracy. But, for their sacrifice, we would not be here,” Wike said.

The governor berated the military for the alleged negative role they played during the 2019 general elections in Rivers state, adding that “the duty of the army is not to take over the INEC office and carry out collation. We saw the army take over the INEC functions and that of the police.

“Go to Bori Camp, you will see INEC materials. Is it where it is supposed to be. But, for God, we wouldn’t have been here. But, God intervened and that’s why we are here.”

The governor commended the police and DSS for living up to their responsibilities during the general elections.

However, he urged INEC to take steps to investigate why the state was the only one that experienced violence during elections. He advised the commission to work towards the prosecution of the F-SARS commander who he alleged was indicted for violence during the 2016 re-run elections.

He alleged that the same F-SARS commander killed a chartered accountant who served as the PDP collation agent and must be brought to justice and commended INEC for their steadfast commitment to the legal conclusion of Rivers elections, despite the pressure for them to do otherwise.

He said: “I commend INEC for standing firm on the side of the truth. I commend INEC officials for being firm.”

Gov. Wike urged INEC headquarters to take immediate measures to ensure the total rehabilitation of the INEC office in the state, disclosing that as a matter of state policy, the state government would take steps to assist the families of those who were victims of election violence.

He said should INEC and the army permit, the state government would also reach out to their staff affected by the violence.

According to him, his second term would witness more projects for the development of the state, just as he advised his opponents to take advantage of his olive branch, saying that it was extended in the interest of the state.

INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, thanked Rivers people for their contributions to the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections in the state.

Represented by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the INEC boss prayed that going forward steps must be taken to change the narrative of elections in the state.

Also, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obo Effanga, said despite pressures and attacks INEC, conducted credible elections in line with extant laws, adding that “for us in INEC Rivers state, we stayed focused on conducting a transparent, free, fair, and credible elections.

“As I kept promising on behalf of my team, we were bound by the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act, other laws and guidelines for the elections. We were further bound by the pronouncements and decisions of courts.

“The present INEC by its conduct, helped to break away from the negative narrative of violence, tainted victories or elections and results that have limited inputs and participation of the voters.

We can say and confidently too, that many voters in the state had access to polling units and indeed, exercised their rights to vote in peace in this election than in previous elections.”