By Obinna Ebogidi 

A group, the Council of Former Local Government Chairmen of Rivers State have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce, without any further delay, the result of last Saturday’s bye-election for the Port Harcourt constituency III seat in the state House of Assembly.

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer and former Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Welendu Mamhobu-Amadi, the group hailed the courage of the electorate for gallantly defending their votes in the face of intimidation by enemies of democracy.

“We are calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to speedily conclude and announce the result of Saturday’s Bye Election as we will resist any attempt to thwart the will of the people”.

The group “commends the electorates of Port Harcourt Constituency III for standing firm to resist the enemies of our democracy and agents of the PDP from disrupting the peaceful and orderly conduct of the House of Assembly Bye Election last Saturday”.

“The poll clearly shows that Rivers people as showed by the strong character of electorates in Port Harcourt are tired of the antics, lies and failures of this PDP government in the state”.

“We urge Governor Nyesom Wike and PDP to stop complaining and learn

how to accept defeat because more defeats are coming their way”.

The ex-Local Government Chairmen asserted that “Rivers people are today more united and resolute in their determination to enthrone a people oriented government in 2019 and no amount of intimidation or wailing will deter us”.

“We sincerely commend the digital Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree for renewing the strength and boosting the membership of our great party,” it added, while assuring him of the council’s unflinching support at all times.