Emergency Rule In Rivers Ends Soon – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said with the conduct of the local government election in Rivers State yesterday, the coast was now clear to end the state of emergency in the state.

Wike stated this yesterday while interacting with newsmen after casting his vote at Unit 007, Ward 9, Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor local government area.

“Having done this, the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go.

“I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire, and that would mean that the state governor and state assembly will come back to their jobs, and we will have a government at the grassroots level,” he said.

The minister, who hailed the conduct of the election, describing it as peaceful, said: “I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election.” He dismissed concerns about voter apathy.

“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying of ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful.

“Of course, we are concerned about low turnout, but people are trooping out. Before the election closes, you will see the number of persons. So, we are very happy that at the end of the day, this election has been conducted very peacefully and successfully.

“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election,” Wike, who was surrounded by supporters and his media aide, Lere Olayinka, said after voting, dismissing concerns about voter apathy.