PDP hails Wike, Rivers’ people over poll victory

By Emeka Nze
Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has congratulated Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the people of Rivers State on the triumph of the party in the just concluded Rivers state re-run elections.
The PDP in a statement yesterday by the Spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said: “With the results of the elections declared so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after so much intimidation and harassment by the Nigerian security agencies, the party won two Senate seats, six House of Representatives seats and ten State House of Assembly seats.
The statement further said: “It is important to note once again that the South East Senatorial District Election purportedly won by Senator Magnus Abe still remains a farce and will be contested at the Tribunal.
“For the umpteenth time, we re-iterate that there was no election in that Senatorial District, and the results concocted for Senator Abe was the handiwork of the Army, the Police and the Minister of ransport, Rotimi Amaechi working in concert with the INEC.
“We commend the zeal, determination and support of Governor Wike for standing against undemocratic tendencies, and the entire people of Rivers State for rejecting the APC and the Federal might deployed to oppress them. Rivers people have shown that the will of the people cannot be defeated no matter the coercion.
“We are particularly proud of all our Candidates in the Elections for remaining united in the face of daunting provocations. We congratulate the winners on their victory and those that were frustrated by INEC for their gallant performances.
“We were confident that we would have won all the Seats contested but for the schemes of enemies of  democracy. The PDP as a law abiding party will contest all outstanding issues in the Tribunal and the Court.
We have extreme regard for the Judiciary and believe that the Court will do justice to all the issues.
“Once again, we condemn the militarization of Rivers State by the Federal government of Nigeria. Election is not war and we wish to urge the APC led government to deploy the Army to protect our brothers and sisters in the North-East that are falling daily to the dreaded insurgency and other troubled zones in the Country instead of using them to rig elections.
“Finally, we thank all PDP supporters nationwide for their support and contributions during the re-run elections in Rivers state. We say well done!
“Remain loyal and continue to encourage us to do more in future elections in the country. This is a test case for the 2019 general elections and we must all be prepared to protect our votes and defend democracy in general.”