Gladys Nweke
The 2015 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has attributed the low turnout that characterized the local government election on Saturday to clear signs that Governor out Wike’s treachery has expired and that the people are only waiting for 2019 to boot the governor out of office.
In a statement from his media team, he claimed some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had called him and accused the governor of manipulating the process.
“Nyesom Wike’s one-party election witnessed the lowest turn out of voters in the annals of Rivers State election, just as heavy downpour disrupted the selection across the wide spectrum of the state” he stated.
He accused the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) of conniving with the PDP to inflate figures despite not having opponents in many areas.
According to the statement, “This is the first time a sitting governor has conducted local government election and his own party members are disenchanted with the process. Very many of his party members were reportedly angry at the way and manner the governor has held everybody hostage.
“The governor himself was so disappointed that he was seen driving round Obio/Akpor local government urging people to come and vote for his party just to prove he has support. Why will a governor be driving around during Election Day? What does the law say about that?
“Even several radio stations that ran live programmes all reported low turnouts in many local government areas, while others never saw materials before the close of time. How better can a people reject the governor? His party members did not even care much, how much more other discerning Rivers people”
Dr Peterside, who is also the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), commended the people for staying away from the election and proving to the governor that his time was up.
