Wike Blasts Politicians Seeking Polls Shift

Rivers State Government
has accused those who wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the postponement of the re-run elections on the ground of insecurity of the state as behind the attack.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who made the accusation while addressing journalists after inspecting the burnt section of INEC office in Bori, Khana Local Government Area said the arson should not serve as an excuse for the  elections to be postponed.
The governor regretted that politicians who are afraid of the re-run elections would go to the extent of burning down public facility to convince INEC that the re-run elections should be shifted.
He noted that no election materials have been deposited at the office, pointing out that the burnt section only serve as a hall for collation
He said, “those who burnt this office were not ready for the elections.  They don’t want INEC to conduct the elections because they know that they don’t have the chances of winning.
“They want to use the issue of security to justify the request for postponement. If not, INEC has not brought election materials to this office. What they have done is to scare INEC.
He added: “For us, we are not surprised. We know this is what they have planned to do.”
He advised INEC not to be deterred by the arson. He noted that the commission should go ahead with the elections as scheduled.
The governor directed the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the crime. He advised politicians not to see elections as a do or die affair, saying that they must submit themselves to the will of the people.
He said: “We will make sure that this does not dampen the spirit of INEC. I have directed the caretaker committee chairman of the local government area to immediately rebuild the burnt office”.
The  governor  said  that the state government will provide  an alternative office for INEC  to conduct  the  July 30 elections  in  the  area. He said the people have been duly mobilised and they are ready to cast their votes.