Gov Wike extols Nigerians’ patience after election postponement

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has praised Nigerians for not resorting to violence following the postponement of the general elections by one week.

While appreciating the people during a message he gave in a church service on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Wike apologized to them for being unable to vote, despite their preparation and determination for the polls shifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Let me apologise to you; for those who
refused to carry out what they are supposed to do,” Governor Wike said.

He added, “I thank you that you did not take
to the streets; I thank you that you are not violent because they suspended
what you are supposed to do yesterday (Saturday).”

Meanwhile, the governor later described the
postponement of the elections by the electoral body as a rude shock to the
country and also called on the international community to continue to put
pressure on the Federal Government to do what is right in the interest of the
nation.

Describing himself as a member of a group he
called ‘Nigeria Must Be Better,’ Wike admonished Nigerians to come out with
renewed determination to participate in the polls in the new dates.

He said, “Just for you to exercise your civic
responsibility, some people thought they were too smart, but God was smarter
than them.

“This week you are coming in, come with all
amount of energy and say, ‘truly Nigeria must be better.”