The people of Rivers State went into a frenzy of jubilation on Wednesday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Nyesom Wike winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.
At the end of collation on Wednesday, the state Returning Officer, Prof. Teddy Adias, declared that Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 886,264 to defeat the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, who polled 173,859 to come second.
Awara was backed by the faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.
Out of the 21 local government areas where election took place, Wike won in 19 while Awara won in two. Elections did not hold in Abua/Odual local government area while no results were returned in Gokana.
The State Returning Officer, Prof. Teddy Adias, stated that Section 47(b) of the Elections Guidelines stipulates that where there is wilful disruption of election as was the case of Abua/Odual, the electoral officer is empowered to enter zero as scores. He also said since no results were returned in Gokana as attested to by all party agents, the commission had to discard the results as it would be improper to rely on results from any source other than the one collated by the commission.
Adias also noted that the difference between Wike’s score and that of Awara was 712,405 while the total number of voters in areas where elections were cancelled or did not hold was 249,324.
“Nyesom Wike of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest votes is here declared winner and is hereby returned as elected,” Adias declared.
Reacting to the result, the state collation agent of the PDP, Austin Opara, said the declaration of Wike as winner has finally brought to an end the anxiety and agony of the people which has lasted about three weeks.
Opera, a former deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, said it was now time to rebuild the state and focus on healing of wounds inflicted on the people by selfish politicians.
“Rivers people can now heave a sigh of relief that this process has come to an end and the people have spoken that Governor Nyesom Wike is their choice.
“It is now time for all Rivers people, irrespective of political parties, to join hands to rebuild our state and heal the wounds inflicted on our people by some selfish politicians,” Opara said.
He commended the INEC for a transparent exercise and security agencies for their commitment and sacrifice that made the exercise a success.
The state collation agent of the AAC, Nenye Kocha, also commended INEC for a transparent exercise within a reasonable time.
He however said the party would review the situation and issue a statement on the result announced.
Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike has dedicated dedicated his victory to the people of the state, saying that he was overwhelmed by the total support and love they displayed during and after the General Elections.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, after the declaration, Wike expressed gratitude to the people for standing by the PDP despite “the illegal actions of the enemies of democracy”.
“I want to thank the people of Rivers State for showing the kind of love we have never seen before. I thank them for showing the kind of support we have never seen before,” he said.
He thanked PDP members for their show of courage, despite intimidation by security operatives who wanted to change the will of Rivers people.
"Those who died not because they were criminals, but because they wanted to defend their votes. We dedicate this victory to those who were killed.
"They protected our votes and they defended us. We pray God to grant their families the strength to bear the losses. We shall continue to support the families,” he said.
He promised to run an inclusive government which would accommodate all shades of interest.
"We have no other state. You may have mansions elsewhere, but there is no place like home. We must come together and build our state.
"We must make the state move forward. We must not continue to de-market the state. I cannot stay beyond 2023, but Rivers State will continue to be. If you believe you are from Rivers State, end this now,” he said.
Wike also extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents, saying that nobody won or lost, but Rivers people won.
He said the struggle to stop collation was so vicious that it continued till the end of the collation.
"We will not disappoint the PDP. We will not disappoint Rivers people. We shall continue to serve.
"If anybody does anything contrary as a member of the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, the blood of those who died will visit them. I will never betray PDP.
"They tried with their Federal Might, but the Superior Might from above defeated them", he said.
He thanked INEC for working in line with the tenets of the electoral act. He thanked the Police, but berated the F-SARS.
Also speaking, Imo State Governor-Elect, Emeka Ihedioha, prayed God to strengthen Wike to continue to deliver for Rivers State.
Adamawa State Governor-Elect, Ahmadu Fintiri, said he was in Rivers State to share in the sweetness of the Rivers victory. He urged Wike to continue with his projects delivery.
PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, congratulated Rivers people for standing firm and insisting on the right thing being done.
Also, the State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, said the victory is not just victory for Wike and the PDP but indeed a victory for all lovers of true democracy as well as the good people of Rivers State even as he also described it as a litmus test for our democracy.
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