Fulfil promise of credible elections, Wike tells INEC

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said if President Muhammadu Buhari does not renege on his pledge not to interfere with the conduct of the 2023 general elections, the All Progressives Congress will be doomed.

The governor, however, said Buhari’s resolve means he is serious about leaving an enduring legacy of conducting free and fair elections.

Wike made the assertion at the commencement of the construction work of Igwuruta internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state that was performed by the governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, on Wednesday.

He said, “I thank Mr President that he wants to leave a legacy of conducting a free and fair election.”

He expressed doubt concerning the public promise made by the Independent National Electoral Commission to deliver better elections to Nigerians.

“My problem is INEC, whether they will do what they said they will do. They are making promises now. I don’t know whether they will keep to them.

“If INEC will keep to the promises that Nigeria will get a better election, I will be so happy. Everybody will see with their eyes, Abuja does not vote. It is the people here that will vote,” he said.

The governor described as unfortunate the inability of some former military generals to use their contacts with the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America to solve the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

He maintained that such generals should have been more concerned about the insecurity situation in the country, and resolve to use their CIA contacts to restore peace across the country, instead of threatening him and his friends to succumb to their biddings.

Wike also took a swipe at an unnamed leader from the South-South who is seeking personal gains instead of that of the region.

He said, “What will they tell their children? People who will like to eat their own share, eat their children’s share and eat their grandchildren’s share.

“When somebody at the age of 70 something is lobbying to be Chief of Staff, what will his own children lobby for?”