The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday presented the certificate of return to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The state deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, and members-elect of the state House of Assembly also received their certificates.
INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo States, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, presented the certificate to Wike in the presence of his wife, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike.
Speaking after receiving the certificate, the governor again dedicated his electoral victory to the people of the state, whom he said overwhelmingly voted for him.
He also dedicated it to those who were killed while trying to defend their votes and democracy.
He maintained that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.
“I dedicate this victory to the people of Rivers State. I also dedicate this victory to those killed by the Nigerian Army while trying to defend their votes and democracy. But for their sacrifice, we would not be here,” he said.
Wike berated the Nigerian Army for the negative roles he claimed it played during the general elections in the state.
He added, “The duty of the army is not to take over INEC office and carry out collation. We saw the army take over INEC functions and those of the police.
“Go to Bori Camp, you will see INEC materials. Is it where they are supposed to be?
“But for God, we wouldn’t have been here. All powers came, but God intervened and that’s why we are here.”
The governor, however, commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services for living up to their responsibilities during the elections.
He, however, urged INEC to take steps to investigate why the state was violent during elections.
He advised the commission to work towards the prosecution the F-SARS Commander allegedly indicted for violence during the 2016 reruns.
He commended INEC for its commitment to the conclusion of the state elections despite pressure to do otherwise.
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