Lizzy Ikuru
Ikuru Town (Rivers)
Chief Davies Ikanya, Candidate representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro federal constituency, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has apologised to members of his constituency on the election postponement says party remained unshaken by it.
Ikanya made the assertion while reacting to INEC’s decision to postpone the Presidential/National Assembly elections in an interview with newsmen on Saturday 16th,February 2019 in Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area in the state.
He said rather than being discouraged by INEC’s postponement decision, the party would within the stipulated period, further strengthen efforts in line with INEC’s election guidelines towards ensuring victory.
“I believe this postponement may have taken a negative toll on Nigerians who had followed closely our political preparations and who are well aware of the President’s commitment as regards funding and support to the electoral umpire.
“The decision has been taken and I believe that Nigerians are patiently waiting for INEC to ensure a thorough process in the coming week,’’he said.
According to him, no doubt, political parties have spent hugely on logistics, some Nigerians have also spent hugely by traveling to their various polling centres, and our economy has also been affected.
“All these efforts would only be laudable when the outcome of our general election is adjudged credible which I think should be of great concern to INEC,” he said.
Ikanya also said that party supporters showed overwhelming preparedness to partake in the election saying that they should not be discouraged by INEC decision.
He commended supporters for their response adding that efforts would rather be redoubled towards victory for the party as the party gets set for the election in the week ahead.
“Rivers APC indeed responded positively to the election as earlier scheduled.
“In my constituency, considering our terrain, as at noon yesterday we had ensured that vehicles and boats were on ground to convey party supporters to the 11 wards in Andoni Local Government Council and all wards in Opobo-Nkoro LGA and the turnout was quite impressive.
“I look forward to even a higher response and turnout on Feb. 23 by our supporters,” he said.
Ikanya who is also a former State Chairman of the APC, advised INEC to ensure that the most effective use of the postponement strategy was employed to boost sanctity of the process.
He therefore, urged party supporters and well-meaning citizens to ensure renewed compliance on the new date for the Presidential/National Assembly election come Feb. 23, as rescheduled by INEC.