Focus on 2019 elections, Gov. Wike tells int’l community

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the
International Community to focus on the forthcoming general
elections to stop the planned manipulation by the APC Federal
Government.

This is as the British Government has declared that it expects
the 2019 General elections to be peaceful, free and fair.

Governor Wike said it is incumbent on the international
community, especially the United Kingdom, United States of America
and the European Union to repeat the 2015 feat when they monitored
all the processes.

He spoke on Wednesday at the Government House Port Harcourt when
he granted audience to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria,
Catriona Laing.

He said: “We appeal to the international community to focus on
the forthcoming general elections.

“This is not the first time the international community will be
doing this. In 2015, the United Kingdom, European Union and the
United States actively monitored the elections “.

He said that the failed APC Federal Government was foisted on
the country by the western powers.

While declaring that the Government and people of Rivers State
are committed to peaceful polls, Governor Wike charged the United
Kingdom to prevail on INEC and security agencies not to manipulate
the elections.

“Talk to INEC and the Police to allow Nigerians to vote freely
and for their votes to count. Any attempt to manipulate the
elections, will make the issue to be out of control of the people
“, he said.

Governor Wike said that the plot by the APC Federal Government
to shutdown internet and communication access would make it
impossible for the international community and stakeholders to
monitor the elections.

The governor said that there can be no violence if elections are
free and fair. He regretted that the legal outlet for seeking
redress has been destroyed by the APC Federal Government through
the attacks on the judiciary .

Earlier, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing
encouraged all stakeholders to work towards peaceful and credible
polls.

She said she Rivers State is important to the country, pointing
out that peaceful polls in the state will have positive multiplier
effect .

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing added
that she was also in the state to acquaint herself with the
environmental challenges facing the state.