•PDP ignores threat, celebrates
With round one lost through the ballot box, the All progressives Congress Party (APC) plans to fight for the Rivers State governorship and Assembly seats in the courts, insisting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rigged the vote on April 11.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi was the first to release the warning shot on election day. Unlike in the federal election on March 28, he voted on April 11 but continued to voice his disenchantment with the exercise.
After casting his vote in Umuigwe Ward, Unit 14 in Ubima, he expressed reservations over the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and other security agencies.
“All over the place, at least at Omagwa, I saw a corpse, I saw people attacking people, shooting people. I had to stop at a polling unit to rescue people at Omagwa.
“The police and the Army have completely broken down security. Do you see a policeman here or anywhere around?
”We relied on the Army and the police but the PDP made arrangement for thugs and they are killing people. This election is a sham. The result is a sham,” Amaechi lamented.
Chain reaction
His comment set the tone for the reaction from the APC.
Even before the result was announced the APC, along with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), registered their displeasure and demanded cancellation of the election.
The parties listed alleged widespread violence, killings, snatching of ballot boxes, and frustration of voting in some areas.
They alleged that ”such high levels of violence and misconduct recorded in these areas leave us as bearers of our people’s destiny with no choice than to insist that the elections that held in Rivers State were an unfortunate sham; a gruesome episode enacted by forces which are in alliance to mortgage Rivers State and the future of our unborn children.
”This election [on April 11] is a record breaker considering the gross irregularities and malfeasance that shaped its conduct. From start to finish, each segment was meant to be a failure, an embarrassment on the decency and decorum of Rivers people.
“We assert that the elections have left us with questions, more questions than answers.”
The parties argued that any announcement of winners of the election would be a travesty of justice and a rape of democracy.
”We insist that the purported governorship and House of Assembly elections that held in Rivers today be cancelled in their totality and a new date set for us.”
They expressed the hope that the INEC would enforce the right of Rivers people to a free, fair, and credible election by heeding to their call.
Election fair, PDP insists
But the state PDP described the election as free, fair, and peaceful.
”We give all the gratitude for a successful and peaceful governorship and state Assembly elections in the state to all Rivers people and residents, who, despite all threats and provocations, came out en masse to vote for the PDP,” said its Campaign Organisation Media and Publicity Committee Chairman, Emma Okah.
He sent a congratulatory message to PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike, for winning the election.
Okah commended ”the spirited and unprecedented efforts of the staff of the INEC and security agencies for rising up to the occasion to ensure hitch-free, peaceful, fair and credible elections.”
He said although the election was contested on party platforms, Wike and other elected officials represent the entire state, irrespective of party affiliation.
”It has therefore become imperative for all aggrieved persons to put the past behind them and rally round [Wike] and the newly elected lawmakers to forge a new Rivers State devoid of primordial sentiments or bitterness,” Okah pleaded.
He gave an assurance that Wike will run an open door administration where every resident will have the opportunity to be the best.
”The overwhelming votes that gave Wike a landslide victory represent the position of the Rivers people which is sacrosanct. Their wish and voice must be respected by all.”
He thanked traditional and religious leaders, women, and youths for their peaceful conduct throughout the electioneering period.
Go to court, INEC tells aggrieved
The INEC ignored the plea from the APC and announced the result, saying Wike received 1.029 million votes, and APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside 124,000.
It advised any aggrieved person to go to the tribunal or court.
PDP victory road show
While the losers continue to voice their rejection, the PDP has continued to celebrate victory. On April 15, the PDP shut down Port Harcourt with a road show.
Ogiri appeals for sanity
Some individuals advised the APC to take a cue from President Goodluck Jonathan and Lagos State PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, and other losing candidates who conceded defeat.
They insisted that sanity must be brought into the electoral system.
One of them, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Henry Ogiri, urged Peterside and others who lost election to accept defeat, like every sportsman.
He counselled Wike to extend his hand of fellowship to the losers so that everyone can contribute to the development of the state.
”I am sure that Rivers people know that the support they gave to Wike is something that came from their hearts and they are expecting a lot from him because there is a lot of work to be done,” Ogiri said.
Legal tango inevitable
However, a source told TheNiche that the APC has enlisted lawyers for its legal battle.