The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Rivers South East Senatorial District in the Legislative re-run election, Senator Magnus Abe has condemned the plan of Governor Nyesom Wike to set up what he calls Polling Unit Security Guards.

Speaking at a rally organised by the Rivers East APC, at Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Abe said the formation of the security outfit was nothing but an invitation for violence and chaos in the state.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police and Director of State Security Services to intervene to save Rivers State from degenerating into anarchy, should the governor go ahead to set up the outfit for the forthcoming re-run elections.

“As we have complained about the Arrest Resistance Committee, they have gone to form Polling Unit Security Guards. Whether you call it Arrest Resistance Committee or Polling Unit Security Guards, it is the same wine in a different bottle. It is nothing but sponsorship of violence and I want to call on the IG and Director of State Services. They are the ones who told us that this time; nobody will be allowed to do that. Polling unit should be open to all voters and should be guarded by the Nigeria Police Force.”

Abe said APC would adhere to the rule of law as well as free and fair election and urged PDP to do so in the interest of Rivers State.

He noted that the APC has members who are patriotic, responsible and law abiding, pointing out that there had been cases of election malpractices by PDP, were APC violent, could have precipitated anarchy in the state.

“Tony Okocha is here, his seat was declared for PDP; we did not make trouble or burn down the state. In the last election, where the people who have not voted were more than the margin of win, INEC declared those seats for PDP; did we burn down the state? We went to court because that is what the constitution says. I want to appeal to our governor if he sees something that is wrong, he should follow the rule of law.”

The former Secretary to Rivers State Government said that Wike's style of politics is to intimidate voters and rig the election, assuring that this time around Rivers people will not be cowed.”

“I keep telling people that we have not voted. Every time we want to vote, he brings guns, machetes and begins to chase innocent citizens up and down and then when he finishes, he goes and tell people he is on ground and that Rivers State is PDP state. What makes Rivers State a PDP state? What election made us a PDP state? Was Nigeria not a PDP country? Today, is it not an APC country? It is the vote of the people that determine the political affiliation of a state. Anybody who wants to know the political affiliation of Rivers people should allow our people to vote.”

Abe commended the organisers of the rally and assured that he would attend any rally in Ikwerre land if he was invited.

He told the people to pass the information to Governor Wike that he would win his election in Rivers South East Senatorial District, not minding the governor's regular visits and campaign in the district.

“I know him very well. As minority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I screened him to be chairman. As Secretary to the Government of Rivers State, I signed his appointment letter to become Chief of Staff to the governor. As Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I screened him to become the minister. So, if he is a governor, that is very good but if he is flying and he has developed wings, when he sees some of us, it is sensible that he should come down and also walk on the ground like a normal human being. Let me say here so that everybody will hear that the election in Rivers South East Senatorial District will be won by the All Progressives Congress. The election in Rivers East that is the one I am standing now will be won by the APC. Speaking further, Abe accused the governor of being insincere by alleging that he defalcated the Kpopie-Bodo road project, which had been completed up to 90 per cent, of which the governor had not completed the payment for the little remaining part of the road.

Abe wondered why Governor Wike could forget that he awarded to himself over 27 primary school contracts in the state that were not completed only to call kettle black.

“A road that is almost 90 percent complete. He has become governor for more than a year, if he loves the Bodo people so much and the money remaining on the road is a paltry sum and he has borrowed over N140 billion, he could not bring out small money to go and complete the road. Is he a good governor? Former Governor Amaechi became governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, whom he removed as governor awarded a contract for mile one market, the contractor was nominated by Celestine's government, Amaechi came and paid him. But Wike who was part of the government, who awarded over 27 primary school contract to himself, will not pay the contractors.”

Meanwhile, Senator Abe has told the Ogoni community in Port Harcourt to be united and vote for him as he had worked very hard to pursue the interest of Ogoni, pointing out that what was remaining was for his voice to be taken to the Senate to speak for them in order to fully actualise their interest.

Addressing them at Ogbunabali community in Port Harcourt, Abe urged them not to be swayed by the N9 billion Wike borrowed for the election as the Ogoni are very intelligent people who know what they want.

•Photo shows Senator Abe.

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