GOVERNOR WIKE DECLARES WILLINGNESS TO IMPLEMENT THE RESOLUTIONS OF PEACE ACCORD
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the State Government will sincerely implement the resolutions of the peace meeting brokered by the Police and the Department of State Services for the peaceful conduct of rerun elections in the State.
The governor declared that he willingly participated at the peace meeting convened by the Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Security because of his commitment to peace and the need to make sacrifices for the development of the state.
Addressing PDP faithful at the Rivers West Senatorial District Rally in Degema on Wednesday, Governor Wike stated that the people of the state must be allowed to elect Representatives of their choice at the National and State Assemblies.
He said: "I was at the peace meeting because we love peace and want the state to move forward. I signed an undertaking on your behalf that we are prepared for INEC credible, free and fair elections.
"It is not in our position to have crisis because we are the ones losing ".
He noted that the Rivers State Government will partner with security agencies to ensure that peaceful elections hold in the state. He said those who want the state to burn will be disappointed.
Governor Wike expressed sadness that some politicians are celebrating that the elections were postponed, saying that his commitment that Rivers State should have Representatives at the National Assembly is because the people of the state have been shut out on the deliberation of the Petroleum Industry Bill and other legislations.
He called on PDP members to remain vigilant while expecting the rerun elections .
The governor said that: "Nigerians know , the world knows that Rivers State is PDP. So shall it be forever."
He pledged to ensure that development gets to all Local Government Areas of the State. He said with the successes achieved in just one year, the remaining three years will witness more development.
Also speaking, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the massive turnout of the people is an indication that the people will always vote PDP candidates.
Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu, Rivers West Senatorial District PDP candidate, said that the reason given by INEC for the postponement of the rerun elections was not tenable as the state is peaceful.
Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus decried the frequency of inconclusive elections under the leadership of the APC.
It will be recalled that INEC postponed the scheduled July 30, 2016 rerun elections following the request by the Rivers State APC.
Despite the postponement, thousands of PDP members still attended the Rally in Degema.
Simeon Nwakaudu
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.