Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike on Tuesday hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for distancing himself from last Saturday’s legislative re-run elections in the state, saying the president did not interfere with the exercise.
The governor, who accused his predecessor and the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi of allegedly plotting to rig the elections, said the latter came into the state noisily and left quietly after results showed he could not deliver his candidates.
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, canceled elections in about eight local government areas following widespread irregularities, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state was declared winner of one federal seat and nine state assembly seats.
Amaechi is the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt while addressing party faithful yesterday, Gov. Wike insisted that the will of the people was stronger than any military and police might, adding that some Abuja politicians only came to intimidate the state with the name of Mr. Buhari, who he noted, maintained neutrality all through the rerun elections.
“Amaechi plot to rig the rerun elections was for him to rubbish the Supreme Court Judgment. He came back to the state noisily, but left quietly and shamefully.
“No Army is stronger than the people. No police is stronger than our people. How many times will they cancel elections for the APC? Amaechi is not on ground in Rivers State.
“Those who were overzealous during the rerun elections did so without the knowledge of the president”, Wike said.