Rivers re-run: Formation of polling unit security guards by Wike an invitation to chaos – Abe

7 years ago

Rivers re-run: Formation of polling unit security guards by Wike an invitation to chaos – Abe

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the Legislative re-run election, Senator Magnus Abe has condemned the alleged plan by Governor Nyesom Wike to set up a band of thugs called Polling Unit Security Guards.
Speaking at a rally organized by the Rivers East APC, at Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Abe said the formation of the security outfit was nothing but an invitation for violence and chaos in the State.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director of State Security Services to intervene to save Rivers State from degenerating into anarchy, should the governor go ahead to set it for the forthcoming re-run elections.

“As we have complained about the Arrest Resistance Committee, they have gone to form Polling Unit Security Guards. Whether you call it Arrest Resistance Committee or Polling Unit Security Guards, it is the same wine in a different bottle. It is nothing but sponsorship of violence and I want to call on the IG and Director of State Services. They are the ones who told us that this time; nobody will be allowed to do that. Polling unit should be open to all voters and should be guarded by the Nigerian police force”, he said.

Abe said APC would adhere to the rule of law as well as free and fair election and urged PDP to do so in the interest of Rivers State.

He noted that the APC had members who were patriotic, responsible and law abiding.

“Tony Okocha is here, his seat was declared for PDP; we did not make trouble or burn down the state. In the last election, where the people who have not voted were more than the margin of winning votes, INEC declared those seats for PDP; did we burn down the state? We went to court because that is what the constitution says. I want to appeal to our governor if he sees something that is wrong, he should follow the rule of law”, he added.

The former Secretary to Rivers State Government said that Wike’s style of politics was to intimidate voters and rig the election, assuring that this time around Rivers people will not be cowed.

“I keep telling people that we have not voted. Every time we want to vote, he brings guns, machetes and begins to chase innocent citizens up and down and then when he finishes, he goes and tell people he is on ground and that Rivers state is PDP state. What makes Rivers State a PDP state? What election made us a PDP state? Was Nigeria not a PDP country? Today, is it not an APC country? It is the vote of the people that determine the political affiliation of a state. Anybody who wants to know the political affiliation of Rivers people should allow our people to vote.”

Abe commended the organizers of the rally and assured that he would attend any rally in Ikwerre land if he was invited.

He told the people to pass the information to Governor Wike that he would win his election in Rivers South East Senatorial District, not minding the governor’s regular visits and campaign in the district.

“I know him very well. As minority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I screened him to be chairman. As Secretary to the Government of Rivers State, I signed his appointment letter to become Chief of Staff to the governor. As Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I screened him to become the minister. So, if he is a governor, that is very good but if he is flying and he has developed wings, when he sees some of us, it is sensible that he should come down and also walk on the ground like a normal human being.

“Let me say here so that everybody will hear that the election in Rivers South East Senatorial District will be won by the All Progressives Congress. The election in Rivers East that is the one I am standing now will be won by the APC.”

Abe wondered why Governor Wike could forget that he awarded to himself over 27 primary school contracts in the state that were not completed only to call kettle black.

“A road that is almost 90% complete. He has become governor for m