The appeal was contained in a pre-gubernatorial and state Assembly elections address, broadcast to the people, yesterday.
He said: “Great people of Rivers State, history beckons on us, and his¬tory is a demanding judge. In conclud-ing this address, may I in the spirit of the Easter appeal to all those who may have been offended by my actions or inactions to forgive me. As your gov¬ernor, elected to serve you, we have always meant well, and will always mean well. As our administration winds down, we wish to guarantee you that we will do everything to ensure that we fulfil our promises to you and give you good reason to be glad that you are Rivers people, proud, resilient and greater together.”
He also appealed to the people to come out en masse, on April 11, 2015, to be accredited and cast their votes, adding that the election was about their life, safety, the wellbeing of the loved ones, business, the future of their children and that of Rivers State.
He said: “Let it be said of you in the future, that you stood up to be counted.
Why? Because deep down inside everyone of us, we want a peaceful, transparent, credible and violence-free election, and not a repeat of what seemingly overwhelmed our land in the last elections.
“As long as you remain peaceful and law abiding, the state will ensure that its security personnel act profession¬ally, in keeping you safe because they and their families also have a stake in a peaceful election. Certainly, afflictions shall not rise a second time.”
“Despite the marginalization of mil¬lions of our people at the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly elections, we cannot lose faith in our country or in democracy. The front¬line contenders for presidency in the March 28th elections have taught us this much. Our President, Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded the elections and congratulated the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.”
Source: Sun
