Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has dared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2019 election in Rivers State.
Governor Wike said the move by the electoral body to pave way for APC’s participation in the polls at a later date after they had been barred for failing to resolve their crisis before the deadline for submission of candidates’ names would be resisted.
Addressing the Rivers State PDP campaign rally at the weekend in Okehi, the governor said INEC was working in liaison with the APC to illegally postpone the election in Rivers State and create room for manipulation.
Governor Wike said two years ago in Ondo State, INEC established the precedent that no election would be postponed on account of intra-party crisis.
“We know all the tricks of INEC. INEC is a fraudulent institution that lacks credibility. Because of Rivers State, INEC will sink.
“As the election is approaching, INEC is trying to give hope to APC in Rivers State. Remember that INEC is a member of the APC. It is number three on the APC official register.
“Two years ago, PDP had a problem in Ondo State. Three days to the election, the Court of Appeal gave judgment and PDP requested for postponement but INEC bluntly refused to grant that request.
“Now APC has a problem and INEC is claiming they will postpone Rivers elections to give APC opportunity to prepare. I am warning INEC not to try that rubbish in Rivers State.”
The governor said the INEC commissioner who is circulating the negative propaganda should seek God’s forgiveness or face divine consequences.
He reminded Nigerians that former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, was forced out of the police because of the evil plans he had for Rivers State.
“Anybody plotting against Rivers State will not survive,” he said.
Speaking on the forthcoming elections, Governor Wike urged the people of Etche to vote for Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates on February 16 and March 2, 2019.
He said a vote for Atiku Abubakar would lead to the revival of the national economy, which would enhance employment.
The governor charged the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area to mobilize the people of the area to collect their voter cards for the forthcoming elections.
On the development of Etche, Governor Wike said when re-elected, he would commence the construction of a major road linking key communities in the area. He added that he would also complete the Sports Academy in Etche.
Also speaking at the PDP campaign rally, National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said Governor Wike deserved a second term because of his outstanding projects delivery.
He wondered why the APC Federal Government continued to plot against the Rivers State governor when they should shower praises on him for good governance.
The PDP national chairman warned that any attempt to rig the forthcoming elections would lead to crisis.
“If they want to cause civil war, let them not obey rules and court order. I believe our security agencies are well trained, only a few of them dance to the tune of the APC,” he said.
Speaking further, Secondus said President Muhammadu Buhari was running the most corrupt administration in the history of the country.
“The APC leadership is jittery, that is why they want to frame Atiku Abubakar. When Buhari was the Minister of Petroleum, who stole N2.8 billion?” Secondus asked.
The PDP national chairman said former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was indicted but that Buhari refused to refer him to the EFCC for prosecution.
Rivers State PDP chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, handed over the PDP flags to the Rivers East Senatorial Candidate, Senator George Sekibo; PDP House of Representatives candidate for Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Hon Ephraim Nwuzi; PDP candidate for Etche Constituency 1, Nnanna Opurum; and PDP Candidate for Etche Constituency 2, Mr Tony Ejiogu.
PDP chieftain in Etche Local Government Area, Prince Emma Anyanwu, said that Etche people will reciprocate the governor’s massive projects in the area through their votes.
