TheNewsGuru

Tag: 2023

  • Why we spend so much to conduct elections – INEC

    Why we spend so much to conduct elections – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday gave an insight into why much funds went into the conduct of elections.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, gave the insight while responding to questions at an interactive session with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) tagged ‘The Editors’ Forum’ in Lagos.

    According to him, cost of logistics, highly-secured ballot papers, and allowances for personnel, among other reasons, are responsible for the huge funds used in conducting elections in Nigeria.

    “In France, the ballot paper is like an A4 sheet of paper, because it is unthinkable that anybody in France will snatch the ballot paper.

    “But here in Nigeria, we print ballots papers in currency quality and we entrust them to Central Bank of Nigeria.

    “The ballot papers will now be move with all the protocols and security according to the movement of the national currency, just to protect the process.

    “This is not going to be done cheaply. So, we pay for lack of trust in the system,” the INEC boss said.

    Yakubu, however, said that Nigeria’s elections were not the most expensive, if the entire cost was spread per head of the voting population, projected to be about 95 million.

    He said that the last elections conducted in Ghana, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau were more expensive, if the voters’ population was considered per capita in relation to the cost.

    “The cost in Nigeria, I think, is nine dollars per head (N4, 500) as against what happens in other countries. Ours is not even the most expensive.

    “The cost of elections in Nigeria in 2023 is N305 billion of the national budget of over N17 trillion.

    “The cost of elections is just 1.8 per cent, not even up to two per cent of the national budget.

    “If we remove the technology cost, 60 per cent of the cost of elections in Nigeria is spent on logistics and personnel allowances,” he said.

    According to him, the commission will engage no fewer than 1.4 million Nigerians for national and state elections as ad hoc staff who will have to be paid and transported to their various locations.

    “I am sure as we continue to build trust and confidence in the process, the cost of elections will come down considerably,” Yakubu said.

    On electronic voting, Yakubu said that the country was getting closer to achieving it, noting that it involved several processes.

    On vote buying, the INEC boss said that fighting the menace required the involvement of all stakeholders.

    He said that the commission had taken some steps to stem the tide and make it difficult.

    Yakubu reiterated that the commission was committed to electoral justice, reassuring Nigerians that rigging had been made difficult and impossible ahead of the 2023 elections.

    Yakubu said that the commission had started cleaning up of voters register, noting that credible elections start with a credible register of voters.

    The INEC chairman said that the commission was committed to improving on its delivery of elections.

    He, however, pointed out that the quality of elections is a direct reflection of the quality of the environment.

    “An election cannot be better than the environment in which it is conducted, which include the security situation, social, economic, political culture, national infrastructure among others.

    “It is simply amazing the way INEC officials get to some villages to conduct elections. Our elections cannot be better than the quality of our infrastructure,” he said.

    Yakubu said that there were about 161 days to the 2023 general elections, adding that Nigeria could make it work because the commission was committed to electoral justice.

    “We have introduced reforms that we believe have taken us out of Egypt and we will never go back,” he said.

    While stressing that INEC does not support media censorship, Yakubu called for balanced reporting.

    He said that the antidote to fake news was “greater openness and transparency”, which INEC was committed to.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Mustapha Isah, the President of NGE, said that Nigerian journalists should be genuinely interested in deepening the democratic space.

    Isah said that they played a key role in the fight for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.

    He said that it had become imperative for editors to thoroughly interrogate players in the democratic landscape.

    He listed some of these as political actors, candidates vying for elective positions, the electoral umpire, the security agencies, and all other groups involved in monitoring elections.

    “This forum is designed to provide the actors an opportunity to address editors about their preparations for the 2023 general elections.

    “Editors will also use this forum to seek clarifications on different issues and ask critical questions on matters relating to the elections.

    “This is in line with our resolve to bring the right information to the electorate ahead of the elections,” he said.

    The forum had editors from various media organisations in attendance.

  • 2023: 7,000 PDP supporters defect to APC in Sokoto

    2023: 7,000 PDP supporters defect to APC in Sokoto

    Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto state had received over 7,000 members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). .

    This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Friday by Bashar Abubakar, the Special Assistant, New Media to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko.

    Abubakar said that the defectors were from Wurno and Kware local government areas of the state.

    According to Abubakar, the new members were received at different locations in the two LGAs by the APC leaders in the state.

    He said that the APC Gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, while receiving over 4,270 defectors in Wurno LGA assured them of equal treatment with all other members of the party.

    Aliyu expressed satisfaction with the level of the new members’ commitment and assured, ”if elected, he will work closely with them to address the challenges in the state.”

    The candidate added, ”If elected, he will continue from the giant strides of the former governor of the state, Wamakko.”

    In his remarks Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, the state APC Chairman appreciated the new members of the party, while assuring them of the party’s commitment to carry all its members along for its victory.

    Abubakar also said that the APC at Achida town of Wurno LGA and Gidan Rugga Ward of Kware LGA had received over 2,500 PDP supporters.

    He said the defectors had continued to express satisfaction for taking their decision to join APC at the right time.

    They assured to work hard toward ensuring the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections at all levels.

  • PDP: Bode George warns party over move to destroy zoning

    PDP: Bode George warns party over move to destroy zoning

    The former National Vice Chairman (South West) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief  OluBode George, has issued out warning to his party  against accepting the congress carried out by its former Lagos State chairman, Deji Doherty, saying the court ruling against him may cost the party the elections.

    George made this announcement in a press conference at his Ikoyi office on Monday, George said Lagos State High Court had last year ruled against Doherty and reinstated former caretaker chairman of the part in the state, Adegbola Dominic, as the legitimate chairman. He said if the party accepts the executive produced at the congress carried out by Doherty, it risks losing the election.

    He also urged the PDP to move its national convention which is scheduled to take place on May 28 and 29 from Abuja to Lagos due to the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would also hold theirs at the same venue on 30 and 31.

    “It is important to point out that Deji Doherty was removed by a court of competent jurisdiction, therefore any congress he conducts is null and void under the law. It will be better to avoid any of the candidates that emerged from the congress he conducted so that in future, no one will tell you that the election is illegal.

    “I want to use this medium to speak on the venue for the convention. APC wants to hold their national convention on May 30 and 31 and we are holding ours on May 28 and 29 in Abuja. How is that possible? People would arrive for the PDP convention two or three days before the day and APC delegates would also arrive a few days before theirs. This could create confusion which would be disastrous for us.

    “Because we want to impact positively in the minds of Nigerians that we are better managers without encumbrances, to move our convention from Abuja to Lagos. Which tribe in Nigeria does not reside in Lagos? If you want to fly or come by water or road, you would get here. There are many hotels, from one star to five stars. Holding it in Lagos would completely cut off any plans by the APC to want to scuttle our convention.

    “On the issue of zoning, a memo was done and the first paragraph of that communique identified that zoning and rotation remain absolutely sacrosanct in PDP. It remained the cultural and political spinal cord of our party. In other words, people should not think that we have forgotten zoning. It remains very important in our party.

    “It now went further to state that the former managers of our party, when they should have announced zoning to decide whether the presidential candidate should go to either the north or the south. But because they didn’t do that, everybody came out. Now that we are a few weeks to the convention, would it be right for the party to now say this person can contest or this person cannot contest?

    “People have started campaigning, even members of the same family and you cannot rob Peter to pay Paul. How would you tell those who have been spending money and time not to contest because you have zoned it? How would they feel? A divided party would be a defeated party.

    “On this basis, I appeal to everyone to cool their tempers and let us go to the game. I know that this is something that has never happened in our party. On the day of the convention, all the six geo-political zones will present presidential aspirants and you can see that we need God’s intervention. We need a man who will put Nigeria before himself and would without fear or favour and irrespective of your religion. I believe so much in prayers so we should forget what has happened. It is a new experience. The ability of our party to rise above that would be a measure of conviction to the electorate that we are better managers,” he said

  • South must produce PDP chairman – Former deputy chairman

    South must produce PDP chairman – Former deputy chairman

    Olabode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, stating that the present arrangement in the party which has the presidential and national chairman positions filled by persons from the north cannot continue to stand.

    George, who spoke at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, said Ayu’s refusal to resign sends a message to members of the PDP in the South that they don’t matter.

    He said, “In May this year, we elected our presidential candidate in the person of Atiku Abubakar, setting aside the principle of rotation as enshrined in the constitution of our party in the interest of peace and unity of our party. Today, we are in a situation in which our National Chairman is from the same zone as our presidential candidate.

    “Some people are insisting that there is nothing wrong with this present arrangement. Some have argued that this happened during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, where the candidate and the national chairman were from the same zone.

    “Let the truth be told, there are remarkable differences in the scenario then and now. Then we had the leader of the party who was then a sitting president from the South and the candidate was from the North.

    “In addition, the National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali, was then on his way out. Today we have no sitting President from our party in Aso Villa so, that argument falls flat. We need to stop playing games and being zombified.

    “Let me summarise the genesis of the current crisis.

    “As envisaged by the founding fathers of our party, there are six top positions in our Country: President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and National Chairman of the party.

    “Presently we are not in government, therefore we only control three of these six positions namely: Presidential, Vice Presidential Candidates and National Chairman.

    “I remember that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu said pointedly that if the Presidential Candidate emerges from the North, he would resign for a new National Chairman to emerge from another zone before the presidential campaign starts.

    “The other three positions are futuristic. It is only when we win the elections that we will fill these positions namely: the Senate President, the Speaker and the Secretary to the Federal Government.

    “As a result of the need to have inclusiveness, oneness and togetherness, it does not make any political sense for the Presidential Candidate and the National Chairman to come from the same zone. Now, we have a situation in which some elders are saying “it does not matter”. Can we go into the election with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, from the same zone, leading our National Campaign?

    “This will be an affront, an impunity, and an insult to the electorate and party members from the South.

    “Dr. Ayu promised openly, before the presidential primary in May, to resign, if the Presidential Candidate emerges from the North. So, why has he refused to honour his words? Why is he reneging? What is driving his reluctance not to resign?

    “We are promising Nigerians that when we get to government, every tribe will have a say in government but now, how do we want Nigerians to trust us when we cannot fulfil a simple promise? Our National Chairman made a pledge and in such a short time he has broken the pledge.

    Our party members from the South are now asking the following questions patently:

    “Have we thrown our integrity to the dogs?

    “How will Southern PDP leaders convince their electorate to vote for our candidate when there is no substantial National position in the Southwest?

    “How can we go into the election season with this type of division and expect to win the February 25 presidential election?

    “Unless we are united, unless we have fairness, equity and justice in our system, the party and the country are heading nowhere.

    “I am not a soothsayer, but I have traversed the length and breadth of our country and have learnt so much politically. What I have predicted above will come to pass unless reason prevails and we apply the brake immediately.

    “It was the same myopic and unpatriotic reasoning that led to the collapse of the First and Second Republics.

    “My intervention is about the future of this country because what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

    The PDP chieftain wondered if the North would remain calm if the positions in question were filled by only Southerners.

    He said, “Peradventure, let us reverse the scenario and think of these consequences. What do you think will happen if our Presidential Candidate and the National Chairman come from the South? How do you think our Northern brothers will feel and handle the situation? What is happening now is that many Southerners are feeling alienated, two weeks to the commencement of the presidential campaign.

    “I know that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman, Governors’ Forum have resigned but of what importance is this? In our party hierarchy, Chairmen of BoT and Governors’ Forum are not that powerful. They are not even among the top six positions of our Country. They are not important to the present discussion.

    “Let me declare categorically that the positions of Presidential Candidate and National Chairman cannot come from the same zone. Period!”

    George added that the vote of confidence supposedly passed on Ayu and the party’s NWC at the its National Executive Committee meeting could not hold sway because most Southern members of NEC were absent from the meeting.

  • I won’t stop talking about injustice in PDP – Wike

    I won’t stop talking about injustice in PDP – Wike

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, says he won’t stop talking about the injustice in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because it negates the zoning arrangement of the party.

    Wike said this at the inauguration of the satellite campus of the Rivers State University in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the perpetrators of the injustice in the party would definitely account for every wrong deed that they have done at the day of reckoning.

    “That is why I am telling the people there, it cannot work. You can’t take everything. If you take everything, it will purge you, so it’s better to do the right thing now,” Wike said.

    He said that the setting up of multi-campus for RSU was strategic as it would increase access to education, provide more space for effective teaching and learning, and grow the economy of rural communities.

    He said that the delivery of quality projects by his administration would encourage people to vote for the PDP in the 2023 general election.

    Wike said that it would be difficult for parties that have failed to provide good governance to the people to solicit for votes during elections.

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, while speaking at the ceremony, lauded the governor for the projects.

    Makinde stated that Wike’s commitment to his vision showed evidence of good governance to the good people of Rivers.

  • Tinubu speaks on disagreement with APC chairman, Adamu

    Tinubu speaks on disagreement with APC chairman, Adamu

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he has no disagreement with the party’s National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, contrary to some media reports.

    Tinubu said this when he spoke with newsmen after a visit to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
    He described the reports as fake news.

    “To the rumour manufacturers, I read in some papers about disagreement between myself and the chairman and that was a very big lie.

    “They didn’t know that we have come a long way, the big masquerade dance not in the cage, but in the market square, and that is what Adamu use to be, full of wisdom.

    “We were governors together, before God put us together on this project again, he is going to deliver as the party’s chairman for me to become Nigeria’s president, and I am very confident of that.

    “They can say whatever they want to say, throw all the jabs they want, we are a party strongly determined to fulfil our dreams of turning Nigeria to a very progressive, highly developed, prosperous country,” he said.

    Tinubu said that since his emergence as the APC Presidential Candidate, he has working as a progressive toward ensuring victory at the poll.

    He said that the APC was determined to change Nigeria into an advance country with bright future for Nigerians.

    “It is a matter of great joy and honour for us to be here, especially me in particular, to interact with the team that authorised my becoming the candidate of our party.

    “To all the members in attendance that day, we want to say thank you, we have come together as a political party and we have taken progressivism as our doctrine.

    “We have to be progressive in our thinking, our did and objective to serve the country,” Tinubu said.

    He said that the APC was not threatened by opposition parties, in its quest for victory at the 2023 general election as it was committed to democratic and progressive principles.

    “We are not threatened, we are committed to democratic principles and values, we are not bickering in any way,” the former two-term governor of Lagos State said.

    This, he said, could not be said about other political parties which according to him, have been spewing fake statistics and wrong figures to Nigerians.

    He thanked the party’s leadership and delegates for voting him as the presidential candidate in the March 26 presidential primaries.

    He particularly thanked Adamu for his wisdom, support, and cooperation over the years, saying that they had come a long way, even as former state governors.

    Tinubu said that his visit was to strategies for the presidential campaign, ahead of the Sept.28 commencement date with the party’s leadership with a view to ensuring effective electioneering campaign.

    “Yes, I admit that democracy is challenging, very hard, and difficult a system to manage.

    “We have seen challenges left and right outside international sphere of politics, but we are determined to ensure that we democratise Nigeria fully and remain a beckon of democracy as the largest nation of black race in the world,” he said.

    He appealed to members of the party that may not be part of the presidential campaign team to be patient and to continue working for victory at all levels.

    “I beg you not to be angry if you are left out because we are going to give you another responsibility. Not every member here can be a member of the presidential campaign council,” Tinubu said.

    Earlier, Adamu expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious at the 2023 poll by God’s grace.

    Some of the dignitaries accompanying Tinubu were his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, and the Director-General APC Presidential Campaign Council, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau.

    Others were Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Secretary of the Campaign Council, James Faleke.

  • No eligible Nigerian will be left out of 2023 poll – INEC

    No eligible Nigerian will be left out of 2023 poll – INEC

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says no eligible Nigerian will be left out in the electoral processes leading to the 2023 general election.

    Yakubu said this at the presentation of the 2022 Revised Framework and Regulations for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Voting, ahead of 2023 poll in Abuja.

    He said that ahead of the 2015 general election, INEC introduced the idea of voting by IDPs which was revised and validated in 2018 for the 2019 general election.

    “Today, the same policy has been revised and is being presented to stakeholders for review and validation in preparation for the 2023 general election.

    “The idea is to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is left out of the electoral process on account of displacement, disability or other circumstances that may limit citizens’ participation in the electoral process.

    “What is presented to stakeholders today has taken into consideration several developments since the last review and validation exercise in 2018.

    “First, is the increased number of IDPs as a result of widespread insecurity nationwide. Secondly, to incorporate not only the displaced citizens arising from armed conflicts but also natural emergencies such as flooding,” Yakubu said.

    “Thirdly, to align the framework with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, specifically Section 24(1) which empowers the Commission to ensure that, as far as practicable, no Nigerian is disenfranchised on account of displacement by emergency situations.

    “Finally, to align the framework with the national policy on internally displaced persons 2021.”

    Yakubu urged stakeholders to contribute to the discussion at the validation meeting to enrich the framework as well as the regulations for voting by IDPs, saying INEC looked forward to a robust collaboration with stakeholders for voter education and sensitisation for the IDPs.

    “I will like to appreciate our development partners for the continuous encouragement and support as well as all stakeholders for your presence.

    “We look forward to your contributions to enable us enrich and finalise this important document ahead of the 2023 general election,” Yakubu said.

    The Chairman, House Committee on INEC, Dr. Aishatu Dukku commended the commission’s commitment to inclusivity in the electoral process.

    She commended INEC response to stakeholders’ requests by organising IDP’s voting operation in the State of Emergency (SOE) states in the 2015 and 2019 general election.

    “The policy document proposed by INEC to guide the conduct of IDP voting operations and bring the IDP communities into the voting net stakeholders is worth applauding and support from all.

    “There is need to also improve on the framework and the Regulations and Guidelines for Voting by IDPs which will drive IDP voting operations for the 2023 general election.

    “The commission should draw lessons from the 2015 and 2019 experience and efforts made and also consult with other knowledge holders at state and national levels, and also in consideration of international best practice.

    “That will ensure that the framework document and the regulations and guidelines, are grounded on practical realities,” Dukku said.

  • 2023: ICPC wont work on politically motivated petitions – Chairman

    2023: ICPC wont work on politically motivated petitions – Chairman

    Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned politicians against frivolous corruption petitions against their opponents.

    The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye gave the warning on Friday in Abuja while hosting the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the Commission’s Headquarters.

    Owasanoye said the ICPC will not work on politically motivated petitions.

    “Usually when the season for competition comes, there is a spike in politically motivated petitions for wild-goose chase.

    “Some are brazen enough to tell you that “we should make sure to stop Mr A from contesting” and they will bring a petition forward.

    “That is not our job, and we will not get involved in those things. We pack those type of petitions aside basically.

    “Even if there is implication of merit within the complaint, we will say “go and compete first”. We are not going to be the ones to be used to give you fair or unfair advantage.

    “When the competition is over, we will decide on the merit or otherwise of what you have brought forward”.

    He, however, explained that ICPC has an existing understanding with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on how to go about genuine electoral petitions when the need arises.

    “We do have an understanding with INEC that in cases where contestants challenge each other in court and the decision says somebody forged a certificate for example, INEC will send those things to us. We are prosecuting a few of them at the moment.

    “Those are ways we will add value without compromising ourselves or exposing our officers to the compromise and desperation of politicians during the contest.” he said.

    The ICPC boss challenged political parties to conduct thorough check of their candidates in the interest of the nation, adding that the fortune of any nation depended on the type of leaders it gets.

    “The he pruning process should start with political parties, charity should begin at home, he added.

    Earlier, Chairman of IPAC, Mr Yabagi Sani, said that the visit was to enhance collaboration with the anti-graft agency in ensuring that politicians with questionable characters were not elected into office.

    “The activities that will lead to the emergence of a government that will preside over the affairs of this nation is something that all stakeholders must buy into so as to have a free, fair and credible election come 2023.

    “Politics is management of crisis and we believe that if we can get the recruitment of leadership right, which will come from due diligence we are expected to carry out, the leaders will conduct themselves in a manner that will give this country the kind of respect we expect in the comity of nations.

    “That is by ensuring that governance is free from all shades of corruption,” Yabagi said.

  • 2023: Wike replies Buhari after insisting on free, fair elections

    2023: Wike replies Buhari after insisting on free, fair elections

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has replied to President Muhammadu Buhari after insisting on the conduct of a free and fair election in 2023.

    Wike said the APC will lose in 2023 if Buhari insists on a free and fair election.

    Speaking at the flag-off of construction work of Igwuruta internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State, Wike thanked the president for promising not to interfere in the 2023 election.

    According to Wike: “I thank Mr. President that he wants to leave a legacy of conducting a free and fair election.

    “Thank God Mr. President for saying that you will not interfere or intimidate anybody. That means your party has no way to win.”

    On Tuesday, Buhari had promised to ensure the votes of Nigerians count in 2023.

    He said Nigerians would be allowed to pick their leaders at different levels in the next election.

    Buhari said Nigerians would appreciate the APC in the next six months

  • 2023: Group urge Wike to support Obi, advises him against supporting other candidates

    2023: Group urge Wike to support Obi, advises him against supporting other candidates

    Non-indigenes Association in Rivers State has called on Rivers State Governor to back the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Dr. Peter Obi, to win the presidential election in 2023.

    They advised Wike not to leave the former Anambra State governor (Obi) who is much younger than his two other main rivals.

    Chairman of the association, High Chief Felix Ogbegbor, made the call during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.

    Ogbegbor said Wike should not make the mistake of supporting the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and that of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, saying they have nothing to offer the country.

    They explained that as governor of Anambra State, Obi performed well and left a clean record, pointing out that he has a better agenda to reposition the country.

    Ogbegbor, noted that among the three candidates fielded by the APC, PDP, and LP, that Peter Obi stands out and is most preferred because of his record of performance and integrity, hence their call on Wike to support him.

    He said Nigeria currently doesn’t need a leader above 70 years old, saying Tinubu and Atiku cannot lead the nation out of its current economic and security challenges.

    He said, “I think Peter Obi is the best person that Wike should support. Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu don’t have anything to offer.

    “If Atiku and Tinubu cannot step down, Wike should support Peter Obi. We don’t need an elderly person in that office again. The others are above 70 and we don’t need people now.

    “If Wike supports Obi, we will be right behind him,” he said, saying the association comprising non+indigenes across the country has passed a conference vote on Governor Wike.

    He said the association would only support and work for candidates backed by Wike, adding that the Governor has demonstrated competence in leadership.

    “Governor of Rivers State is a pride of the people. Wike has all it takes to be Nigeria’s president. We are here to support a young man who knows what it takes to please his people.

    “Wike for the past seven years we have not seen the kind of development he is driving before. He always attracts good things to Rivers State.

    “That is why we have decided to follow him. Whatever he (Wike) says we should do that is what we will do.

    “What person he wants to vote we will. Anywhere he goes we will go,” the association’s chairman said.