The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has expressed disappointment over a remark by his Kano state counterpart, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, who chairs the All Progressives Campaign Committee for the December 10 rerun elections in Rivers state that free and fair elections are not normal in that part of the country.
The Kano Governor had made the remark while speaking with reporters shortly after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, stating however, that efforts would be made to ensure that the elections are credible this time round.
Ganduje, while expressing confidence that the APC was ready and would win the elections, said: “We are prepared. We just came out of Ondo elections. We have fresh ideas even though both environments are different but we have our own strategies.
“Like in Ondo State, we must ensure have free and fair elections.
“You know in that part of the country, having free and fair elections is not normal and we have to make it normal this time.
“We must ensure that there is security so that people will come out and vote. That is our main preoccupation at the moment. We are making wider consultations with stakeholders and we believe we will succeed.”
But reacting to his Ganduje’s claim, Wike said the statement was unfortunate, wondering if Ganduje has constituted himself into the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that would conduct the elections.
His words, “It is unfortunate if he (Ganduje) said so. As far as I am concerned, elections have been normal in my part of the country. All we are asking for is free and fair election.
“Is Governor Ganduje speaking on behalf of INEC? Is he the one conducting the elections now? I have respect for him as an elderly person but his statement is unfortunate.
“When his friend won the governorship election in Rivers State, the election was normal. The election was also normal in Edo State where his party won. We are waiting for him to come and perform the magic he did in Kano State.”
The Rivers Governor declared that he would be waiting for Ganduje to come and perform the magic he performed in his state during the last general elections.
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