Election suspension: Rivers political situation worrisome ― Obi

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in February 23, Presidential election, has raised concerns over the situation in Rivers state which led to the suspension of March 9 gubernatorial election in the state.

In a statement emanating from his media office in Abuja on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor regretted the militarization and undue interference in the electoral process.

While noting that it was absurd to move collation centres to military bases and denying observers access to the centres, Obi requested the international community to take note of the unacceptable situation as it was a grave breach of democratic norms.

He wondered why Rivers state, “a known stronghold of the PDP” and Governor Nyesom Wike were targeted for harassment despite Wike’s acceptance by the people.

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While noting that good performance has endeared the governor to the electorate, Obi was of the view that: “Wike should be the last to face this type of harassment given his popularity with his people which is as a result of his outstanding performance which earned him Mr. project even from an opposition person.”

He called on “all reasonable persons within and outside the country who desire the growth and sustenance of democracy in this part of the world” to rise up and condemn what is going on in Rivers state.

“Any reasonable person should know that Gov Wike is the last person to be harassed knowing what he has put in just in four years in the delivery of democracy dividend,” he added.

The Vice Presidential candidate also described as curious the fact that all the six states but one that INEC declared inconclusive had the PDP leading in the election.

According to him, “the ruling party has become so shameless in their desperation as they have become brazen in perpetuating their rigging agenda.”

Obi, therefore, urged the global community to show more than passing interests in what goes on in Nigeria particularly Rivers state “as such untoward behaviour has far-reaching consequences in the entire democratic process in the continent and the World.