By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the National Assembly to take the amendment of the Electoral Act to the next level by ensuring that the electoral process is not manipulated through the card reader.
According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, he expressed this while speaking during the 60th Birthday Celebration of Senator Sekibo and the public presentation of six books written by the Federal Lawmaker on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike lauded the National Assembly for amending the Electoral Act, but stressed that unless measures are taken to protect the electoral process, the electoral umpire may use the present situation to rig in favour of the ruling party.
He said: ” The National Assembly should take the amendment of the Electoral Act a step further by ensuring that only votes that emanate from the Card Reader count.
“Other than that, the Electoral Umpire may manipulate the system to favour the ruling party. We know what they are capable of doing and this should be addressed”.
On the birthday celebration, Governor Wike described the Senator Representing Rivers-East Senatorial District, Senator George Thompson Sekibo as a dependable politician who places the interest of the state above all other considerations.
He noted that Senator Sekibo plays his politics with sincerity of purpose.
The governor said: ‘One important thing is that Senator Sekibo is a reliable and dependable politician. He is a loyal party man who never gives conditions for the concessions he makes for the party ”
In his remarks, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa said that Senator Sekibo is a repository of legislative knowledge.
Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu noted that Senator Sekibo is one of the serious minds in the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Representative of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senator Ahmed Lawan praised the Senator Representing Rivers-East Senatorial District as one of the voices that help guide debates in the Senate.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara represented by Mr Jones Onyereri said that the House felicitates with Senator Sekibo on his birthday.
Responding, Senator George Thompson Sekibo assured Nigerians that he will continue to work for the development of the country.
He also assured Governor Wike that the people of Rivers State will always support him for his commitment to the development of the state.
Highpoint of the birthday celebration, was the unveiling of the six books written by Senator Sekibo and the cutting of the Diamond Anniversary cake.
The event was laced by high profile comedy, music and traditional dances. Senator Sekibo was honoured by Governors, Federal Lawmakers, State Legislators, Commissioners, Traditional Rulers, clerics, youth and women leaders at his 60th birthday celebration and public presentation of six books.
