…Says APC Gov Pressuring Buhari Not to Sign Electoral Bill For Fear of Defeat
Onyedi Igwe, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong reservations about the conduct of his Cross River State counterpart, Prof. Ben Ayade, and the State Police Command for attempting to prevent a rally of the Peoples Democratic Party in Calabar on Saturday.
Wike also accused Ayade, APC governors and other political interests of pressuring President Muhammadu Buhari from signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to law.
He said that the governors are afraid of the introduction of electronic transmission of results which would make them to lose the 2023 general elections.
“Why they have not signed electoral act is because they are afraid of the results to be transmitted electronically. So, your governor here is one of those pushing for that amendment act not to be signed so they can use security to carry results. 2023 no be 2019”, He said.
Party members had accused the police of barricading the Calabar Sports Club, venue for the flag-off of PDP’s campaigns for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State constituency bye-elections in the state.
Wike in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, lambasted Ayade and the police for conspiring to prevent the PDP from holding its rally for the constituency election.
The Rivers Governor was quoted as having spoken while PDP supporters at the venue of the rally in Calabar,
He said: “When I was told that they don’t want you to hold this rally, I said this rally must hold today and I must come. Whatever will happen let it happen today.
“I told your leader that if you did not hold this rally today, then that would have been the end of PDP. But I thank God, all of you resisted it and you said enough is enough.
“Let me tell you now, I have come here today to let you know I’m going to give you every support. Don’t be afraid. They tried it in Rivers State , we resisted them. They are trying to instigate fear in you. Don’t be afraid at all. Whatever Cross River government can do, PDP can do it better.
“I don’t understand how a governor would for ordinary federal constituency election, ordinary state election, you’re stopping them to hold rally. When it comes to governorship what will happen?”
Wike urged the PDP members to mobilize support for electoral victory in the rally attended by former Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke, Senator Sandy Onor and other chieftains of the party.
Wike declared that PDP must rescue Cross River State from the shackles of bad governance and maladministration of the APC led state government.
“Mobilise our people for the state constituency election and the federal constituency election. We must defeat APC”, added
END.
