2019: NSA moves to shutdown internet access for rigging purposes, says Gov. Wike 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work with internet service providers to shutdown internet access  during the forthcoming elections.

Governor Wike said that shutting down internet access by the NSA and INEC  is aimed at facilitating the rigging of the 2019 General elections.

He spoke on Thursday during a courtesy  visit by Savannah Centre Council on Peaceful and Violence Free Nigeria at the Government House, Port Harcourt .

He said: “The National Security Adviser has met with INEC to ensure that internet service providers shutdown the internet, so that foreign bodies won’t see what’s happening in the country during the elections.

“They will jam all the frequencies and internet services to stop real time communications during the elections.

“This  plot to rig the forthcoming elections is a recipe for violence.  They will not succeed in whatever they are planning. The world will be informed about their criminal activities,” he said.

The governor said that the negative actions of the Buhari administration indicate that they will not accept defeat when they lose the forthcoming elections.

He advised President Buhari to emulate Former President Goodluck Jonathan who placed Nigeria above personal consideration.

“I don’t think this administration  will willingly accept  defeat. They should emulate Former President Goodluck Jonathan who lost elections and  accepted the outcome.

“There was no litigation.  He went back home and did not generate crisis”, he said.

Governor Wike said that Rivers people will not fold their hands and allow the APC Federal Government unleash violence and rig  the 2019 elections.

He regretted that the APC Federal Government has caged the Judiciary, making it difficult  to determine electoral disputes in court.

He argued  that the conduct  of credible elections rests squarely with security agencies and INEC.  He said once the two agencies act within the law, the polls will be credible.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Founder of Savannah Centre Council on Peaceful and Violence Free Nigeria, Prof Ibrahim Gambari called on all stakeholders  to work towards peaceful and credible polls.

He said that the group is involved in extensive research and consultation  to promote  peace. He noted that peace and  development  are intertwined, hence they must be encouraged.

Gambari urged Governor Wike to use his national contacts to enhance the culture of peace.

Former Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Prof Oshita Oshita urged the governor to continue  to work in the interest of peaceful polls.