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By Joel Anekwe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday presented the certificate of return to the re-elected governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Wike emerged winner of the tortured governorship election of March 9, 2019 which was eventually concluded on April on April 3, 2019 after about two weeks suspension and much controversy.
INEC’s returning officer, deputy vice chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Prof Teddy Adias declared Governor Wike winner after he polled 886,264 votes, to defeat African Action Congress candidate, Biokpomabo Awara who scored 173,859 votes.
Wike’s deputy governor-elect, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo and members-elect of the Rivers State House of Assembly also received their certificates of return.
National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu presented the certificate of return to Governor Wike in the presence of his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike.
Speaking after receiving the certificate the governor dedicated the victory to the people of Rivers State who overwhelmingly voted for him.
He also dedicated the victory to Rivers people killed by the Nigerian Army in defence of their votes and democracy, adding that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
He berated the Nigerian Army for the negative roles they played during the 2019 general elections in Rivers State.
“The duty of the Army is not to take over INEC office and carry out collation. We saw the Army take over INEC functions and that of the police. Go to Bori camp, you will see INEC materials. Is it where it is supposed to be. But for God, we wouldn’t have been here. All powers came, but God intervened and that’s why we are here.”
The governor commended the Police and DSS for living up to their responsibilities during the 2019 elections.
He, however, urged INEC to take steps to investigate why Rivers State is only violent during elections. He advised the commission to work towards the prosecuting the F-SARs commander indicted for violence during the 2016 rerun elections. He said the same F-SARs commander killed a chartered accountant who served as PDP collation agent and should be brought to justice.
Wike commended INEC for their commitment to the legal conclusion of Rivers elections, despite the pressure for them to do otherwise, and urged INEC to take measures to ensure the total rehabilitation of its Rivers office.
The governor said that as a matter of policy, the state government will take steps to assist families of those who were victims of election violence. He said should INEC and the Army permit, Rivers State Government will also reach out to their staff affected by the violence.
He said that his second term will witness more projects for the development of Rivers State, and urged his opponents to take advantage of his olive branch.
National Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu thanked Rivers people for their contributions to the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections in the state.
Represented by the national commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo states, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, the INEC boss prayed that going forward steps would be taken to change the narrative of elections in the state.
INEC’s Rivers resident electoral commissioner, Obo Effanga said despite pressures and attacks INEC conducted credible elections in line with extant laws.
He said: “For us in INEC Rivers State, we stayed focused on conducting a transparent, free, fair and credible election. As I kept promising, on behalf of my team, we were bound by the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act, other laws and guidelines for the elections. We were further bound by the pronouncements and decisions of courts.
“The present INEC by its conduct, helped to break away from the negative narrative of violence tainted victories or elections and results that have limited input and participation of the voters. We can say and confidently too, that many voters in the state had access to polling units and indeed exercised their rights to vote in peace in this election than in previous elections.”
Effanga said that if the momentum is sustained, Rivers State will no longer be a flashpoint of violence during elections.
