PORT HARCOURT, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said anyone planning to rig the re-run legislative elections in the state would be treated as an armed robber.
Wike, who spoke while addressing thousands of civil servants at the State Civil Service Secretariat in Port Harcourt, said the public holiday signifies God’s intervention in the affairs of the state. He said: “Every January 27 will be observed as a public holiday in this state because that is the day God came down to save Rivers State. “What people must understand is that power comes from God. We know God speaks last and he has spoken.
The governor urged civil servants and other Rivers people to ensure they vote for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the re-run elections to promote harmony in governance and sustain the development agenda of the state government. The governor said the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state plans to use the re-run elections to enter the political arena through the window having been shut out by the people and the Supreme Court.
Wike said the will of the people will prevail, adding that any attempt to use security forces and other electoral officials to rig the process will fail. According to him, the people believe in the transformational leadership of the PDP, stressing that it was exhibited in Bayelsa State, where the use of force by security agents failed to deliver electoral victory. Anyone who plans to rig an election is an armed robber and should be treated as such. If you are coming to rig an election in the state, first prepare your will before embarking on the journey. Inform your wife or husband and go ahead to say your last prayer. When they used the security forces in Bayelsa State, it didn’t work. It will also not work here in Rivers State.
“Rivers State is a peaceful state and our people are peace loving. We want to remain so,” he said. The governor assured civil servants and pensioners that his administration will continue to pay their salaries and pensions, adding that all welfare issues would be given top priority.
He, however, stated that steps will be taken by the administration to verify the actual number of civil servants and pensioners to stop payment to nonexistent beneficiaries. Earlier, Head of the State Civil Service, Rufus Godwins commended the governor for being up to date in the payment of salaries and pensions. He assured the governor of the loyalty of the workers.
Credit: National Mirror (Nigeria)
