By: Felix Ikpotor
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on newly elected senators from the State to work towards promoting the interest of Rivers people because they were elected to represent the people.
Wike while recalling the violence that marred the elections reminded them that they were elected on the blood of the people.
He said Rivers people sacrificed their lives for the victory of the PDP during the 2019 General Elections, noting that on no account should they be relegated to the background.
The governor spoke on Tuesday when the Rivers State PDP State Agents presented the official INEC Results of Rivers East Senatorial District and Rivers West Senatorial District to the party at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike said: “Always work for the party. Never abandon the party and always consult the people before you take any action.
“God gave us this victory. But for God, this party wouldn’t have emerged victorious. Our people died because they defended democracy and the party.
“Our people took risks and bullets to defend our votes. They paid with their lives to defend PDP. Whatever you do, remember our people took bullets and risked their lives to ensure your victory.
“If our people didn’t take risks, you wouldn’t have won your seats. Therefore you must always remember the sacrifices of our people”.
He stated that all elected representatives of Rivers State must promote the State because of the circumstances of their victories.
While congratulating the two Senator-elect, Wike said that their victories came through the hard work of party members across the state. He said in Rivers East and Rivers West, Rivers people worked for weeks to deliver the PDP, despite the challenges posed by the Nigerian Army and other security forces.
National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus said what has happened in Rivers State should serve as a lesson to the country that the will of the Niger Delta region must not be toyed with.
He commended the Governors of Rivers and Bayelsa States for setting up Judicial Commissions of Inquiry to investigate the violence against the people, saying that the findings will help to stop a reoccurrence of the ugly attacks on the people by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
Presenting the results to Rivers PDP, State PDP Agents, Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara and Former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru informed that in Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo (PDP) polled 283, 759 votes to win his closest challenger, Azubuike Nwuke who scored 9852 votes. They added that for Rivers West, Mrs Betty Apiafi (PDP) scored 159, 215 votes to defeat the SDP candidate who polled 20, 139 votes.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara said that the overwhelming victory of PDP is a vote of confidence on Wike for his outstanding performance.
Responding, Senator George Sekibo said that the members of the National Assembly from Rivers State will always place the interest of the state above personal consideration.
He said that Rivers elected representatives are aware of the sacrifices made by the people and they will reward them through dedicated performance.
He commended Governor Wike for his outstanding commitment to the PDP which translated into the victory of the party in the State.
