Wike accuses APC of laying structures to rig 2019 election

RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike has urged African lawyers to work towards reviving democracy in Nigeria, blaming the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the police to destroy the foundation of democracy.

Speaking Monday night during a state banquet for members of the African Bar Association in Port Harcourt, Wike stated that the APC is already laying the structures to rig the 2019 General Elections through the promotion of indicted police officers.

The Governor stated that the Police High Command has promoted Mr Akin Fakorede, the Rivers State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Commander whom he alleged was ‘filmed at a collation centre rigging election and beating INEC officials’.

He added that the Police High Command has also promoted Assistant Commissioner of Police, Steven Hasso for his criminal role in the rigging of rerun elections on December 10, 2016.

Wike said: “They promised Nigerians Change, but we are seeing nothing. The Former President of Tanzania by his visit has done us much good by his presence in Nigeria. Through him, we will send a message to the world.

“Democracy in Nigeria is gone. By 2019, nobody should talk about democracy. One Mr Akin Fakorede who was caught on video rigging election has been promoted. Stephen Hasso who was also a culprit in the rigging of elections has been promoted. Both of them are to be positioned in Rivers State for 2019 to help the APC rig elections.”

Speaking further, Governor Wike said that the APC has made it a policy to intimidate and destroy the Judiciary, so that they can consolidate on their reign of impunity and disregard for the rule of law.

He regretted that the situation has degenerated to the level that Police has now taken over the duty of INEC by certifying election results for APC to use at Tribunals.

Governor Wike said that the police under the present dispensation has become a major stumbling block to the investment drive of the country as they deliberately generate insecurity.

He said: “The police is the one promoting crime in Nigeria. Most of the kidnapping in the country are done by the police. We cannot continue like this, enough is enough”.

In a remark, Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Onueze Okocha said that Rivers is peaceful and always ready for investors.

Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) lauded Governor Wike for justice sector reforms and the promotion of access to justice.