Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has wondered why Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and not his lawyers or agents, is the one going to the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) office to collect certified true copies (CTC) of electoral materials.
Speaking at the inauguration of Government Secondary School in Kpor Community of Gokana Local Government Area on Tuesday, governor Wike stated that Tonye Cole lost the governorship election undoubtedly.
Governor Wike described the show of desperation by Tonye Cole, by not allowing his lawyers to do their duties, as suggestive of a sinister motive that should not be waved away but queried.
While urging Tonye Cole to come out clean so that people would know his intentions, governor Wike also dismissed as baseless the allegations raised by him against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that they attacked him and prevented him from accessing INEC office in Port Harcourt.
“Have you seen where a candidate is going to INEC to collect certified true copies (CTC)? What are your lawyers doing. What are your agents doing? These are duties of lawyers. What CTC do you want to collect.
“Can’t people see the truth of the matter, you’ve lost the election. Even if they cancel the election 25 thousand times in this State, you cannot win us (PDP) in this State. Let the truth be told.”
Governor Wike said already, proactive measures are taken to ensure that APC is not allowed the liberty to repeat what they did in 2015, when it manipulated the Nigeria Police to tender results at the tribunal that truncated the will of the people.
The governor reiterated that APC as a political party is dead in Rivers State, therefore, cannot win any election. According to him, this was manifested in the last election as Tonye Cole could not win any legislative seat for his party.
Governor Wike boasted that everybody knows who was behind the bulk vote that Bola Tinubu got from Rivers State, and he owes nobody any apology for supporting the emergence of a southern presidency.
“How can people say that they rigged you. You said you made your presidential candidate to win. Your presidential candidate won, but you don’t get one senate (seat). What kind of wining is that?”
Governor Wike explained that because of the popularity of PDP in Rivers State, owing to its excellent performance, the party won all three senatorial seats, 11 House of Representatives seats and all 32 State House of Assembly seats.
The governor wondered why Tonye Cole would think that Rivers people will give him their mandate when he is already facing prosecution over diversion of $50M proceeds from sale of State assets to Sahara Energy.
Governor Wike described as laughable the decision of the governorship candidate of Accord party, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs and that of the Labour Party, Beatrice Itubo, to approach the election tribunal to contest the election results.
He said these candidates were not opponents in the election but were only desirous to be on the ballot.
Governor Wike, who commended his counterpart of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, for supporting equity, fairness and justice, said PDP lost the chance of winning the presidential election due to impunity and arrogance.
Inaugurating the project, Governor Ortom commended governor Wike for sustaining his delivery of quality projects, working in synergy with his cabinet, that is impacting positively on Rivers people.
According to him, the magnificent edifice, Government Secondary School, Kpor will be a very conducive learning place for students who will be well moulded to become the kind of future leaders that the country requires.
In his address, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, Deinma Iyalla said there are 18 buildings that were remodelled and reconstructed within the premises.
These buildings, he explained, house the classrooms, library, hostels, a dinning hall, kitchen, staff quarters and three generating sets to provide electricity and regular water supply.
Speaking at the event, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom described the project as being of good quality and thanked the governor for his intervention to which the students are grateful.
In his address, Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Confidence Dekor said governor Wike, with his untiring delivery of projects in the area, has proved that he is a true brother and friend to them.
He promised that Gokana people will maintain the buildings and facilities in order to maximise the derivable benefits from them.
Kelvin Ebiri
Special Assistant on Media to the Rivers State governor.
April 4, 2023.
