2nd April, 2011
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged Rivers people not to be discouraged by the postponement of today’s National Assembly elections, by INEC. On the contrary, he urged the voters to be prepared to still come out on Monday to vote.
Governor Amaechi, who spoke to newsmen in Government House, Port Harcourt while reacting to news of the postponement of the National Assembly elections, said “whatever that needs to be done to ensure that we have a credible election, let us do it in our own interestâ€, including trooping out on Monday for the elections.
The governor, who thanked Rivers people for their massive turnout today at the various polling booths, noted that “Monday is not too farâ€, and enjoined them to bear with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), assuring that the government would still put in place the same security arrangement that was witnessed today all over the state, to guarantee hitch free movement of voters.
According to him, on Monday, the new date for the national Assembly election, I appeal to you to please come out to exercise your civic responsibility so that nobody does it on your behalfâ€. He explained that the only way to fight rigging of election in Nigeria is by people coming out to vote, and advised citizens to continue to show interest in who represents them at all levels of government, by voting for the candidates of their choice.
He commended security agencies for the protection of life and property, as well as INEC in Rivers State for their preparedness, to carry out their duties and urged people to make the Monday’s election a better one.
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
