Governor Wike warns Senators-elect from Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has warned the Senators-elect from the state against relegating the masses to the background as they legislate in the ninth National Assembly.

According to him, Rivers people sacrificed their lives for the victory of the PDP during the 2019 General Elections.

Speaking yesterday when the Rivers State PDP Agents presented the official INEC Results of Rivers East and West Senatorial Districts to the party at the Government House in 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”.

The Governor declared that all elected representatives of Rivers State must promote the State because of the circumstances of their victories.

On his part, the 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, Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara and Former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru disclosed 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 Governor 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 were 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.