The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday declared Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been declared winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.
Wike. according to INEC, polled a total of 886,264 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara who garnered 173,859 votes.
The result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday meant that Wike who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won by a margin of 712,405
Wike was in clear lead on April 2 when INEC resumed collation of Rivers Governorship results after polling 426,369 votes against 129,855 from 15 local government areas.
The lead was extended when the commission announced the remaining results from eight LGAs on Wednesday bringing Wike’s total vote to 886,264, while Awara had 173,859.
The result was declared at the INEC head office in Port Harcourt by the Returning Officer for the election, Teddy Adias.
Adias said the governor satisfied the requirements of the law, adding that 249,324 votes did not count in areas where election did not hold or was cancelled due to disruptions.
He said, “I, this day, confirm again, that I am the collation officer for the election and that Nyesom Wike of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, has scored the highest number of votes and is hereby declared winner and returned elected.
“The winner, with the highest votes, scored 886,264 and the second scored 173,859. The margin of lead with these votes stands at 712,405. A total number of registered voters in area where the election did not hold or cancelled stands at 249,324.”
Speaking shortly after he was declared winner, Wike dedicated his victory to God and to those who lost their lives during the 2019 elections in Rivers State.
The governor won in 19 local government areas out of the 21 that were declared while Awara won in two LGAs; Akuku-Toru (his LGA) and Oyigbo LGA.
Wike showed an overwhelming strength in his Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he polled 281,161 votes, while Awara scored only 7,495 votes.
Votes were not collated for Abua/Odual and Gokana Local Government Areas due to reported security issues.
The incumbent governor also scored high votes in Andoni Local Government Area where the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, hails from.
Surprisingly, Wike also won in Ikwerre LGA, the council area of Amaechi.
