…Says PDP will win in 2019
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has set a tentative timetable to guide the new River State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, in the conduct of local government elections despite litigations on the state of councils in the state
Wike, while swearing in six new members of RSIEC in Port Harcourt at the weekend, said if the commission issues notice for elections in February, elections could hold first week of May, setting the stage for elected councils’ inauguration by May 25, 2018.
He noted that the amended RSIEC Law stipulates 90 days notice before the conduct of elections, recommending that RSIEC should commence the process for the conduct of councill elections as soon as possible.
“Yes, we are in court, whatever the outcome will be, by May 25, 2018, the issues would have been resolved. The tenure would have lapsed by May 25, 2018,” he said.
Charging the new body on credibility and commitment, Wike challenged members to, “Show Nigerians that you can conduct credible elections into council offices.”
The governor assured of release of funds for the conduct of council polls as appropriated by the state House of Assembly, vowing never to interfere in the workings of RSIEC.
Inna related development, Wike has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win the Presidential election in 2019 because Nigerians yearn for the return of pro-people leadership.
The governor declared that though the APC Federal Government and electoral officials are plotting to subvert the will of the people, they will be resisted by Nigerians.
He spoke in Asaba on Sunday night during the meeting of the National Working Committee and PDP Governors Forum.
According to Wike, if democratic principles are respected, those pretending to be seeking a second term after a woeful performance would have declined contesting elections.
“We are going to win the Presidency in 2019. We take it for granted that we have won our governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly seats”, he said.
He said at present, PDP Governors are orphans in Abuja, hence the need to take over leadership at Federal level.
The governor added: “Frankly speaking, If Nigeria is a country where democracy is democracy, so many wont talk about contesting election. Because first of all you need to tell the people what you have done for them.
“What will they come to tell Delta people that they have done in the area? Nothing. What is their confidence? What will they say they have done in the Niger Delta?
“What they don’t understand is that we are more prepared now than in the past. Anybody who thinks that he can come and rig us out, will fail.”
Governor Wike said that the fight against corruption must include the struggle for the promotion of a credible democratic electoral process.
He said: “Part of corruption that we must fight is the corruption of stealing people’s mandate. That is the biggest corruption.
“When we get that right, other things will fall in place. It is corruption when you don’t allow those who have won to be declared as winners. “
He regretted that Nigeria goes to smaller countries to observe how elections are conducted, but are unable to conduct credible polls.
The governor said that no matter the antics of the APC Federal Government, Nigerians will insist on credible polls in 2019.
