INEC REC resigns, joins Bayelsa governorship race

The Cross River Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Frankland Briyai, Thursday resigned his appointment with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to join the Bayelsa governorship race.

Briyai, who had served as Cross River REC since 2017, said he bowed to persistent pressure from his people join the governorship race, adding that this entails his leaving his job with the INEC.

He emphasised that as a progressive, he decided to run on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), after critically considering his people demand and subsequently heeding their call to selfless service.

“On Saturday, the 21st of July, 2019, a mammoth crowd of Bayelsans held peaceful rally in Yenagoa, calling my humble self to contest the Nov 16, gubernatorial election.

“I have critically considered their demand and dilemma. I have heard their call to selfless service that had always been my lifestyle.

“For the sake of the very important call to rescue the kind, peace loving and great people of Bayelsa, I have resigned my appointment as a REC in the INEC of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with effect from Thursday, the 8th of August, 2019.

“Due to the very successful Cross River state assembly bye-elections conducted by my humble self and team on 11th August and 7th Nov 2018 in Obudu, Ikom state constituencies and 2019 general elections, I and the commission have received commendation.

“The reason for the persuasion by the youths and people of Bayelsa were impressed with the fact that I have the potentials and capacity to impact a remarkable change in the state,” he said.

He, however, called on the people of Bayelsa to embrace peace, eschew vote buying and also appealed to political class of the state to ensure that civility was maintained.

In his remark, the chairman, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Cross River,  Mr Sunday Michael, said when Briyai came, they thought he was going to be like the previous RECs, but he told them that he was going to work with all stakeholders.

“This is the only REC that has carried along every political party from start to finish, now that he is aspiring to be the governor of Bayelsa,  we are giving him all the support. (NAN)

Leave a Reply