Rivers State Governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has assured his supporters and members of the Peopes Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that he would certainly prevail over his adversaries and retain his mandate as governor of the state.

This is, as he said, the verdict of the state Election Petitions Tribunal, which annulled his election, will not distract him as he will remain focused on his vision and continue to deliver on the fundamental promises of improving security, massive development of infrastructure and socio- economic empowerment in the state.

Wike, who spoke in a state-wide broadcast to the people of the state yesterday, said apart from the reported malfunctioning of the card readers supplied by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which placed no advantage on any of the contestants, the election took place throughout the state.

The governor said, “We all know that on April 11, 2015, Rivers people in their millions joined the rest of the country, and enthusiastically participated in electing their governor and members of the state House of Assembly.

“Apart from the reported malfunctioning of the card readers supplied by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which placed no advantage on any of the contestants, the election took place throughout ‘the state and was adjudged credible by both local and international observers. The only process, recognised by the current Electoral Act, was used to accredit voters all over the country.

“So far, I am not aware of any state where the election was postponed as a result of failure of card readers. Furthermore, the Court of Appeal in Agbaje v Ambode clearly stated that the partial or non-use of card readers is not the basis for the cancellation of an election.