Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday declared today and tomorrow work-free days “to enable workers from the public and private sectors fully participate in the re-run elections and exercise their franchise”. He also ordered that “private offices, including banks, must remain closed for the duration of the holiday”.
Wike, in a state broadcast, said the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had promised to be fair to all.
He said: “ Let me warn that political party leaders and candidates must come to terms with the fact that elections are not and must not be turned into a do-or-die affair, just as no political ambition warrants any person, no mater his position, to threaten the peace of the state by inciting and making unguarded statements in their desperation to win the re-run elections for their parties and candidates.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the state and chairman of the State’s Security Council, I assure everyone of us of our security and safety before, during and after the re-run elections. The Nigerian Police and other security agencies have put adequate measures to keep the peace and ensure an orderly conduct of the re-run elections throughout the state.
“ I have also received assurances from the Armed Forces that they will not deviate from their constitutional role of safeguarding law and order before, during and after the re-run elections and I am satisfied with this assurance and believe that it would not be broken.”
On potential flashpoints, Wike said: “ However, in line with the ongoing security operations to rid the state of cult-induced violence and criminality, I have requested the armed forces to increase security surveillance around some identified flashpoints of cultism and banditry in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Akuku Toru, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West, Emohua, Ikwerre, Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of the State.”
He urged voters “to be accredited, peacefully cast your vote and, wait at a reasonable distance as allowed by law until the results are counted, announced and documented”, adding that: “ Do not submit to any intimidation by those who seek to scare you away from voting with the military. Take note that no person is allowed to go to the voting areas with uniform security personnel or thugs.