By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — 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.
Speaking during the 60th birthday celebration of the senator representing Rivers-East Senatorial District, George Thompson Sekibo, and the public presentation of six books written by the federal lawmaker on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Wike lauded the National Assembly for amending the Electoral Act.
He, however, stressed that the electoral umpire may use the present situation to rig future elections in favour of the ruling party, unless measures are taken to protect the electoral process.
“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,” he said in a statement issued by his Special Assistant (electronic media), Simeon Nwakaudu.
On the birthday celebration, Wike described Sekibo as a dependable politician, who places the interests of the State above all other considerations.
He noted that Sekibo plays his politics with sincerity of purpose.
“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,” Wike said.
In his remarks, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, noted that Sekibo is a repository of legislative knowledge.
Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, noted that Sekibo is one of the serious minds in the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, and representative of Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki; and Senate Majority Leader, 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 Jones Onyereri, said that the House felicitated with Sekibo on his birthday.
Responding, Sekibo assured Nigerians that he will continue to work for the development of the country.
(R-L) Representative of Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; representative of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jones Onyereri; Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus; Mrs. George Sekibo and Senator George Thompson Sekibo at the unveiling of six books written by Sekibo to mark his 60th birthday on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
He also assured 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 Sekibo and the cutting of the diamond anniversary cake.
The event was laced by high profile comedy, music and traditional dances.
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.