The Deputy Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has asked Governor Nyesom Wike to allow the will of Rivers people to prevail in 2019.
He described the victory of APC’s Dr. Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti State in last Saturday’s governorship election as the triumph of will, perseverance and determination over mediocrity.
The party chieftain asked leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Wike to learn from Ekiti and allow popular mandate take root in the 2019 general election.
Peterside, who is the director-general of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), yesterday in an online statement by his media team, described Fayemi’s victory as a step in the right direction.
He hailed the people of Ekiti, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a successful election, pointing out that it proved that Nigerians could freely elect their leaders in a peaceful atmosphere.
The NIMASA chief said: “The people of Ekiti State disappointed the people who predicted violence and trouble. They rose in unity to freely elect Dr. Fayemi and the APC. This is a sure sign that Nigerians are desirous of credible processes in electing their leaders.
“Commendation must also go to INEC and the security agencies, who both rose to the occasion to ensure that the will of the people prevailed.”
Peterside, who was the 2015 governorship candidate of the APC in the state, called on Fayemi to be magnanimous in victory and ensure progressive development in Ekiti.
He admonished Wike to refrain from heating up the polity, while maintaining that Rivers people would speak with one voice in 2019.
The former member of the House of Representatives said: “I hope Wike has seen how closely fought the election was in Ekiti State. I hope he will respect himself and allow the will of Rivers people to prevail. The days of concocted and cooked results are over. Every vote will count in 2019.
“I want to assure Rivers people that 2019 will witness free and fair elections in the state.”
The NIMASA chief added that nobody will intimidate anybody during next year’s elections, and promised that votes will count.