Sekibo Warns On INEC’s Power, Lauds Constituents …PDP Urges Rivers People Not To Despair

Senator George Thompson Sekibo has cautioned that the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be protected in order to safeguard the electoral system from manipulation and arbitrariness.
In a statement, his Special Assistant, Hon Kevin Agbam quoted Senator George Thompson Sekibo as giving the warning while speaking on the Election Appeal Tribunal’s dismissal of his petition against the judgment that declared Chief Andrew Uchendu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 15th rerun election.
Sekibo noted that power comes from God, adding that it was God’s will even though the verdict was contrary to the general expectation of well-meaning Nigerians.
The senator stated that as a political leader and democrat who believes in the rule of law, he has put the verdict behind him, and appealed to his supporters, friends and well-­wishers to be law-abiding and accept the decision of the court as a new vista for greater service to humanity.
He noted that as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he performed his duties with diligence, and declared that he was leaving a legacy of critical bills, motions, various welfare schemes and projects for his constituents, and a record of very robust contributions in the history of the National Assembly.
Sekibo lauded the people of Rivers East Senatorial District for giving him the opportunity to represent them in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, and particularly thanked the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, traditional rulers, party faithful and the electorate for their encouragement and confidence in his capacity to serve them.
He urged them to remain focused and committed in their support for the Wike-led government of Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party as the party repositions to correct the errors of the past and take the state to a more prosperous height.
Sekibo also assured that as patriotic citizen, he will continue to stand for justice and responsible leadership, and would render quality service whenever he is called upon.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described as shocking and unfortunate the upturn of the victory of some of the duly elected representatives of the state in the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP by the Appeal Court.
While reacting to the Appeal Court judgement that nullified the election of Senator George Thompson Sekibo representing Rivers East and a few other PDP federal, state Chairman of the party, Bro Felix Obuah, however, appealed to Rivers people to remain calm.
Confident that their mandate cannot go in vain, the state PDP boss said truth will surely triumph over mere logic of art to thwart justice.
The significant point, Obuah noted, is that Rivers people through their votes had chosen their real representatives and still stand by their decision not to have anything to do with those security agencies and military aided to subvert the will of the people at the Appeal Court, stressing that their celebration will be short-lived.
“If not for their self-seeking motive, why would they not accept the verdict of the people? Why would they go extra miles to bring in soldiers and all sort of bullies to maim, destroy and kill their kith and kin in order to secure an undeserved victory with the full backing of their allies at the centre?” the state PDP boss queried.
While thanking the teeming members of the PDP across the state and the entire Rivers people for their patience and steadfastness throughout the legal fight against those he described as  enemies of the people, Obuah said there was still hope because the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was competent and prepared to ensure that Rivers State remains on the path of development and progress.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana