Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has said that the only way those in position of authority can become accountable to the people, is when the electoral process is free and fair.
Wike, disclosed this in a statement after he was honoured with the “Gold Prize for Exceptional Leadership,” by the ThisNigeria Media Newspaper in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said considering the importance of the Electoral Act amendment to the survival of the nation’s democracy, the media ought to deem it a priority to exert pressure on the President to sign the amended Act.
He charged the media to exert pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the amended Electoral Act, and enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of both direct and indirect primaries.
“Who are those to benefit more if the direct primaries is conducted. Who are those to benefit more if it is indirect primaries. So, it is important that Nigerians should know why there should be electronic transmission of result in order to save our democracy,” he said.
He added that any electoral system that permits security agencies to be used to rig election, and for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to be manipulated, will not yield accountable governance.
