Rivers rerun: INEC, Security agencies must work within the law, says Governor Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the people of the state are committed to peaceful and credible polls, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies must work within the law so as not to provoke violence.

Governor Wike also condemned the death of soldiers in a gun battle with sea pirates, but pointed out that the unfortunate incident had nothing to do with the rerun elections.

Speaking when he granted audience to the Consul-General of the United States of America Embassy in Nigeria, Mr John Bray on Friday , Governor Wike regretted that result sheets were missing for some wards in the state ahead of the rerun elections, pointing out that the vigilance of PDP agents revealed the untoward situation.

The governor explained that the PDP continued to raise alarm because of its commitment to credible and peaceful polls. He said the Rivers people believe that officials of INEC and security agencies must not take actions that will engender violence during and after the elections.

"Rivers State is key to this country. Let nobody think that anything can happen to Rivers State ", the governor said.

He commended the government and people of the United States of America for showing interest in the election, urging them to spread their tentacles across the state to have a comprehensive idea of the rerun elections.

The governor informed the United States Government that his administration is supporting security agencies with logistics and finances to fight cult-ralated violence in the state, pointing out that the security agencies are bringing the situation under control.

In his remarks, the Consul-General of the United States of America Embassy in Nigeria, Mr John Bray said that the team was in the state as part of international observers to ensure peaceful, credible, free and fair rerun elections on 19th March, 2016.

Simeon Nwakaudu,

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

18th March, 2016.