Wike to Peterside: Forget rerun, I’ll remain gov

Though the Rivers state election tribunal has ordered a fresh election in the state, Nyesom Wike, the governor, says his first term ends on May 28, 2019.

Wike accused Dakuku Peterside, his rival and candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), of overheating the polity with “self-deceit and unnecessary political  campaigns”.

“His illegal  campaign  rally last weekend  was unfortunate. It has been  worsened  by the  fact that  Mr Peterside  is still issuing vain campaign  statements aimed at overheating  the  polity,”read a statement issued on Wike’s behalf by Simeon Nwakaudu, his special assistant on media.

“We understand  the desperation  of Mr Peterside  as he is merely  dancing  to the tunes being played  by external  forces who want their filthy hands on the resources  of Rivers state  like they did under the failed  administration  of  Rotimi  Amaechi.

“The people of Rivers state voted overwhelmingly  for Governor Wike on April  11 and 12. The earlier Mr Peterside comes to  terms with  this fact, the better for him and his treacherous  political  party.

“For the records, Governor  Nyesom Ezenwo  Wike’s  lawyers are concluding the appeal process  to challenge  the  judgment  of  the  Justice  Suleiman Ambrosa-led Rivers state governorship election tribunal which was premised  on the card reader accreditation  and the hearsay  testimonies  of security  agents  already expunged  from the tribunal  records by the court  of  appeal.

“The use of falsehood  and  propaganda  will not  take Peterside  anywhere near the government house, Port Harcourt.  Governor Wike  has the mandate  of  the  people  of  Rivers  state and this will  be  reaffirmed  in the appeal  process.

“All the governorship  tribunals  and the appellate courts have jointly  resolved that card reader accreditation and hearsay  evidence  would never constitute the  grounds for the nullification  of  an election.  Mr Peterside  is aware  of  this  facts, hence his desperation to overheat the  polity.

“Governor  Wike  will complete  his first term  on May 28, 2019 as endorsed by  the  people of Rivers  State,  ordained  by God,  which will be reaffirmed  by  the  Appellate process.”