“I was at the peace meeting because we love peace and want the state to move forward

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday explained why he agreed to a peace accord with his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, saying he would sincerely implement the resolutions of the deal brokered by the police and the State Security Services for the peaceful conduct of rerun elections in the state.

“I was at the peace meeting because we love peace and want the state to move forward, a spokesperson, Simeon Nwakaudu, quoted the governor as saying at a rally in Degema on Wednesday.

“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.”

The governor said he willingly participated in the peace meeting convened by the Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Service 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 said the people of the state must be allowed to elect representatives of their choice at the national and state assemblies.

He said the Rivers State Government would partner with security agencies to ensure peaceful elections hold in the state. He said those who want the state to burn would be disappointed.

Governor Wike expressed sadness that some politicians were celebrating the postponement of elections in the state, saying that insistence that Rivers State should have Representatives at the National Assembly was because the people of the state had 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 .

“Nigerians know, the world knows that Rivers State is PDP. So shall it be forever,” the governor said.

He pledged to ensure development gets to all Local Government Areas of the State. He said with the successes achieved in just one year, the remaining three years would witness more development.

Also speaking, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Banigo said the massive turnout of the people was an indication that the people would always vote PDP candidates.

Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu, the Rivers West Senatorial District PDP candidate, said 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, Uche Secondus, decried the frequency of inconclusive elections under the leadership of the APC.