March 9 Guber Poll: Celebrations As Gov Wike Wins
- PDP thank God, Rivers’ People
BY OGBONNA ONYEKACHUKWU, PORT HARCOURT – Despite tight security situation in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of Governor Nyesom Wike as winner of the March 9 governorship election sparked off wild celebrations across the State.
As soon as the electoral umpire officially pronounced Wike’s victory, some residents, especially the die-hard Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters and the governor’s sympathizers, were seen celebrating openly on the streets of Port Harcourt.
In a mini-carnival-like procession, the supporters were seen dancing to rhythmic tunes blaring away from organised musical instruments and chants of ‘PDP – Power to the Powe and Mr Projects’ .
INEC had announced that Governor Wike, the PDP’s candidate in the election, polled a total of 886,264 votes to defeat his rival and flag-bearer of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara who could only managed 173,859 votes.
The result indicated that Wike was returned re-elected to the Rivers State Government House with a huge margin of 712,405
The embattled Rivers State Chief Executive took an unassailable lead on Tuesday, April 2 when INEC resumed collation of the State gubernatorial poll results with 426,369 votes against Awara’s 129,855 when collation was concluded in 15 local government areas of the State.
He further extended the lead when INEC finally announced results from the remaining eight LGAs on Wednesday bringing Wike’s total votes count to 886,264, with Awara managing to garner only 173,859 votes across the State.
GRATEFUL PDP IN CELEBRATION MOOD
Meanwhile, in their celebration mood, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has described Governor Nyesom Wike’s re-election as ‘God’s Miracle’ for the people of Rivers State.
In dedicating the landslide victory to God and people of the state, State Chairman of the Party, Felix Obuah said the victory has once more put an end to doubts about God’s infallibility, especially to those who put absolute trust in Him.
Obuah maintained that the election outcome is not only victory for Governor Wike and the PDP, but for all lovers of true democracy as well as the good people of Rivers State.
Obuah lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Obo Effanga; security agencies and all those who ensured that peace and orderliness prevailed during the collation and announcement of the historic election results
The PDP chairman, who described the development as a ‘litmus test for our democracy’, said: “This victory has gone to show that our God is a miracle worker. God has clearly shown that the fervent and heartfelt prayers being offered by Rivers people on daily basis are not in vain.
“Knowing that ‘Mr. Projects’ is ever magnanimous in victory, I urge all Rivers people, including those candidates who lost out in the election, to cooperate and work in harmony with Governor Wike so as to hasten the development of our dear State.”
