Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that the state is too big for anybody to impose representatives on the people, stressing that the people must be allowed to elect their representatives.
Speaking during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dedication service for the commencement campaign for the 2016 re-run elections in the state at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral in the course of the rerun election to ensure that the will of the people prevails.
He said: “This election would prove whether INEC is ready to conduct free and fair elections in Nigeria. “
The governor noted that the PDP remains committed to violence-free elections, pointing out that the opponents of PDP should play within the rules of engagement.
“What causes violence during election is when the umpire wants to manipulate , rig or write results. We will resist any attempt to write results.
“PDP will not be involved in anything violent, but we will not allow anyone to steal our votes. We will protect our votes and make that the people’s mandate is declared,” he said.
The governor explained that the PDP was dedicating its forthcoming campaigns for the rerun elections to God because the party relies on God for victories.
He noted that the PDP was sure of victory at the rerun polls because of the massive achievements of his administration in the last 17 months.
The dedication service for the flag off of the campaign for the rerun elections was attended by Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, state and National Assembly members, political leaders of the state, commissioners, local government chairmen, women and youth groups.
Venerable John Adubasim of the Saint Paul’s Anglican Church while dedicating the PDP campaigns for the rerun elections to God, asked members of the party to trust in the Lord for their sustenance and victory.
Earlier yesterday, the governor worshipped at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo Deanery during the church’s 2016 Annual Adult Harvest Thanksgiving Speaking there, he said his administration would fight crime across all communities. He however, warned against the politicisation of crime.
He said anyone caught committing crime while be made to face the weight of the law.
