HIGHLIGHT
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission was working in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress to rig the 2019 general elections .
He further alleged that INEC had consulted the APC with a view to post compromised electoral officers from APC states to Rivers State .
The governor stated this when he visited Etche Local Government Area of the state , to thank the people for their support for the PDP during the supplementary elections .
Wike said , “INEC is planning to rig the 2019 general elections . They claim that they are re -deploying the 23 electoral officers in the state . But we have authentic intelligence report that INEC has consulted APC and they plan to post electoral officers from APC states to Rivers State .
“These electoral officers being handpicked from APC states are to help in rigging the elections in 2019.”
Wike added that no level of fraudulent postings by INEC to Rivers State will lead to a favourable ground for rigging elections .
“If they like, let them post their fathers to Rivers State , we will resist any attempt to rig the 2019 elections in the state . Our people will remain vigilant .
“They can rig in another state , certainly not Rivers . For us , we must elect our representatives through the democratic process . Nobody will intimidate us”, he said .
He noted that any electoral reform by INEC should have the input of stakeholders at the state levels .
He said , “The head is rotten . You have to cut off the head . They should first cut off the head before coming down to the lower rung of the ladder. ”
The governor said nobody died during the February 25, 2017 Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency elections because security agencies acted professionally .
He added that once security agencies follow electoral guidelines , elections will hold peacefully and the actual representatives of the people will always emerge .
While commending the Etche people for standing firm during the supplementary elections , Governor Wike assured them that they will always benefit from his administration .
Member Representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency , Mr . Jerome Eke said that the several rerun elections in the state have confirmed Governor Wike as a true leader of the state who has the support of the people .
PUNCH .
