Rivers Rejection Of Sham LG Election, Signpost For Wike: Dakuku

Dr Dakuku 

The Deputy Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside says the massive low turnout that characterized the controversial local government election in the state on Saturday is a clear sign that Governor Nyesom Wike’s treachery has expired and that the people are only waiting for 2019 to boot the governor out of office.


The party stalwart said that several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called him, accusing the governor of manipulating everything, including changing the names of some candidates at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

“Nyesom Wike’s one party "election" witnessed the lowest turn out of voters in the annals of Rivers State election, just as a heavy downpour disrupted the selection across the wide spectrum of the state,” he stressed.

He noted that despite only PDP contesting the election against some imaginary opponents, the RSIEC still connived with the ruling party to inflate figures even in the governor’s home local government where voters chose to stay at home.

“This is the first time a sitting governor has conducted local government election and his own party members are disenchanted with the process. Very many of his party members were reportedly angry at the way and manner the governor has held everybody hostage.

“The governor himself was so disappointed that he was seen driving round Obio/Akpor local government urging people to come and vote for his party just to prove he has support. Why will a governor be driving around during Election Day? What does the law say about that? 

“Even several radio stations that ran live programmes all reported low turnouts in many local government areas, while others never saw materials before the close of time. How better can a people reject the governor? His party members did not even care much, much more other discerning Rivers people,” he quipped. 

Dr Peterside, who is also the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), commended the people for staying away from the election and proving to the governor that his time was up.

“ I thank Rivers people for shunning Wike, no one can fight a man of grace. God’s grace will disgrace such person; Amaechi’s grace is disgracing the governor." he summed up.