Text Of Press Conference By The Rivers State Chapter Of The Peoples Democratic Party (pdp) On Tuesday April 14, 2015.
PROTOCOL,
The Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Organization (PDP CO) Rivers State on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) is pleased to address you today. Three days ago, we voted in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State and won convincingly. The Party thanks the Almighty God for answered prayers and giving victory to our people here in Rivers State. We are particularly glad that the long night of despair has given birth to a bright new day, a day filled with hope, assurances and opportunities to return our beloved State to the path of sanity and order. Therefore this is the beginning of a new dawn.
The party is delighted to congratulate the voters of Rivers State who turned out in their great numbers to perform their civic duties of voting for the candidates of our great Party, despite initial attempts by leaders of the ousted regime to annoy, disrupt, disorient, frustrate, and unlawfully take over the role of the umpire and security in the contest. We understand their frustrations and spirited attempt to subvert the will of our people.
It is expected that no tyrant will willingly relinquish power without some measure of resistance.
The PDP also commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the good conduct of the polls and especially for refusing to be swayed by negative propaganda and lies. INEC improved on its previous records of good performance, objectivity, consistency and impartiality.
The party is proud to congratulate our Governor-elect His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, and the Deputy-Governor-Elect, Her Excellency, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo on the landslide victory recorded on April 11, 2015. The verdict of the people of Rivers State is sufficient. We salute the in-coming Government. The victory recorded is a call to duty to repair and restore Rivers State again.
We urge the losers to be courageous and honourable if truly they are democrats. They should emulate our beloved President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR who, as a true statesman, has shown the way forward in sportsmanship. Rather than fan the embers of disunity and peddling of falsehood, they should congratulate the winners. It is indeed paradoxical that whenever the PDP loses, it is alright and the process is adjudged free and fair.
Yet whenever our Great Party wins, especially in Rivers State, it is followed by spurious allegations of irregularities, fraud and calls for cancellation.
The PDP in Rivers State affirms that these allegations are untrue and the handiwork of bad losers. The party convincingly won all the elections in Rivers State after rigorous work, campaigns and manifestos acceptable to the electorate.
The party condemns in totality, these allegations intended to smear our sweet victory. We reiterate that our victory is a reward for hard work. We assure our opponents that the people of Rivers State are the victors and there will be no victims, nor the witch-hunting of anyone for that matter. Let us respect the rule of law as democrats. The PDP in Rivers State invites everyone to join hands in the task of creating a better Rivers State where no man or woman, kith or kin, tribe or religion, is oppressed. The party assures everyone of equal opportunities and invites everyone who can contribute positively to steps forward and seize the opportunity to achieve full restoration as contained in theNEW RIVERS VISION.
The Party finally, thanks the security agencies, the mass media and residents of Rivers State for standing firm as professionals and worthy indigenes on duty despite some molestations, abuses and false accusations. History will be fair to you all, that you firmly stood your ground, when it mattered most, despite the challenges.
Thank you for your attention.
1. Hon. Barr. Emma Okah
Chairman
2. Prince Barr. Shedrack A. Akolokwu JP, KSC
Deputy Chairman
3. Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, JP
Secretary
4. Pastor Jerry Needam, JP
Member