Rivers Rerun: Wike says INEC not prepared

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that INEC was not prepared for the re-run elections in the state, noting that the challenges that greeted the elections would have been avoided if the commission had prepared for the re-run elections.

He regretted that some areas in the state do not have result sheets, which could lead to violence as the people suspect foul play.

Speaking after he voted at Ward 9 Unit 7 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Saturday, Governor Wike said that information available to him indicate that INEC failed to take necessary measures to ensure credible polls.

He said: “It is obvious that INEC was not prepared for the re-run elections. They refused to tell members of the public the challenges they had.”

The accreditation process for the governor was cumbersome as two card readers were used severally before the governor was eventually passed to vote. However, his wife, Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike was accredited smoothly.

The governor told journalists that in several polling units, information of scanned results were received.

He added that there were cases of snatching of election materials in Ubima and Omagwa, noting that it was unfortunate that the challenges came up despite the time INEC had to prepare.

He, however, gave pass mark to the security agencies for maintaining law and order in the state.