Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has acknowledged the role of played by the UK and US Government in the ensuring a smooth governorship election in Edo State.
Governor Wike explained that threatening to place a visa ban on anyone found guilty of rigging, forced people to act appropriately.
“One thing that played out and which I noticed was the role of the international community. For example, the US, the UK came out and said that there would be a visa ban if anybody tries anything in terms of violence or rigging and they have gone further to ban some governors,” he told Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Friday.
“Everybody was being careful, saying, I don’t want to have any problem, I don’t want my children and family to have any problem. We all go to the UK everytime.
“Infact they should even go further, not only politicians, but security agencies, then you’ll see everybody will sit up and say look, I cannot jeopardize the future of my children and mine, simply because you want me to rig the election, so it’s very key”.
The governor also spoke about the role of the Inspector General of Police in the elections, saying he tried to force him (Wike) to leave the state.
“First of all, the IG’s role as far as I’m concerned as it relates to me, has to do with someone who has had a premeditated view about me because the IG never saw me outside. I was inside my room and I got a call from the IG, that I must leave Edo State.
“What surprised me was that I am the Chairman of the campaign council so why should I leave. And as chairman you must monitor what is going on so that at the end of the day, you’ll be able to write your report to the party,” he explained.
According to him, the IGP’s action had nothing to do with the election but rather it was based on a personal vendetta.