GOV. WIKE URGES UN TO ADVOCATE FOR TRANSPARENT ELECTORAL PROCESS IN NIGERIA

The State Chief Executive Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has urged the United Nations Agencies to continue to advocate for a free fair and transparent electoral process in Nigeria.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipaibo Harry Banigo (Left), the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Co-coordinator, Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon (2^nd Right), and the UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Erasmus Morah (Right), exchanging pleasantries during a Working Visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on the 6^th Sept. 2021.

Governor Wike stated this during a Working visit by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, 6^th September, 2021.

Speaking through his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said Rivers State, believes that strengthening Democratic Institutions is the way to go.

“In all our activities, we always operate democratically, in the last two Local Government elections we have had, we had inclusiveness of women not only as Vice Chairmen, but also councillors, we believe strongly that we have to support Democratic Institutions in Nigeria, and demonstrate it here in Rivers State, where we have the opportunity to do it, and also to develop strong institutions in Education, Health, Infrastructure and in Human Capital Development”. Governor Wike further stressed.

The Governor expressed regrets that at a time when the whole country was moving on digital form, we could not pass an electronic transmission of results, which according to him would curb insecurity in the country.

“like you have rightly said, this country has a good role to play in the west African scene, we are condemning what is happening in Guinea, we spoke against what is happening in Mali, we have to demonstrate it here, we cannot allow this country to go into 2023 elections, without the electronic voting passed as a Bill, we cannot.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipaibo Harry Banigo (3^rd Left), with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Co-coordinator, Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon (3^rd Right), the UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Erasmus Morah (Right), the WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo (2^nd Left) the Commissioner for Health, Rivers state, Prof. Princewill Chike (Left) and others shortly after a Working Visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on the 6^th Sept. 2021.

Please whatever advocacy level you can use. I think this is the time to speak loud and clear, because the stability of a democratic nation all over the world is based on its electoral process, and if the electoral process continues to be insincere and continues to be non-transparent, there cannot be any peace”. Governor Wike quipped.

Governor Wike who insisted that his Administration is interested in the Socio-economic development of the Rivers People, expressed delight with the partnership between the Rivers State Government and the UN, while thanking the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and his team for their selfless service in the State.

In his remarks the  United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Edward Kallon, said the purpose of the mission to Rivers State was to reinforce the partnership between the United Nations and the Rivers state Government to address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and accelerate implementation of the SDGs to build back better; and continue to create durable solutions for economic transformation in the State, adding that several UN agencies have on-going programmes in Rivers State.

He commended the Governor Wike led Administration for its commitment to better the lot of the Rivers People.

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