Rivers re-run:  We will resist rigging, Wike warns

Rivers state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has repeated his warning that the state will resist any attempt to rig the re-run elections slated for December 10, 2016.

He said that Rivers was 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 flag-off campaign of the re-run/supplementary election in the state at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Governor Wike urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral in the course of the rerun elections to ensure that the will of the people prevailed.

He said: “This election will prove whether INEC is ready to conduct free and fair elections in Nigeria.”

The governor noted that the PDP remained committed to violence-free elections, pointing out that the opponents of PDP should play within the rules.

He said: “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 sure 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 relied 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, Dr. Ipalibo 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 on Sunday, Governor Wike worshiped at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo Deanery during the church’s 2016 Annual Adult Harvest Thanksgiving.

Speaking, Governor Wike said his administration will fight crime across all communities.

He said anyone is caught committing crime will be made to face the weight of the law.