The Rivers State Government has approved January 27 every year as a public holiday to mark the validation of the election of Nyesom Wike as the governor of the State.

The Supreme Court delivered her judgment upholding Wike’s election on January 27, 2016.

“Every January 27 will be observed as a public holiday in this state because that is the day God came down to save Rivers State. What people must understand is that power comes from God. We know God speaks last and he has spoken,” Wike said on Tuesday while addressing thousands of civil servants at the State Civil Service Secretariat in Port Harcourt.

Wike warned against rigging the rerun elections in Rivers state, noting that electoral offenders will be treated as armed robbers by the people.

He said, “Anyone who plans to rig an election is an armed robber and should be treated as such. If you are coming to rig an election in the state, first prepare your will before embarking on the journey. Inform your wife or husband and go ahead to say your last prayer.

The governor also announced that Friday February 5, will be observed as a public holiday to enable all Rivers people prepare for the rerun elections.

He urged the civil servants and other people of the State to ensure they vote for PDP candidates in the re-run elections to promote harmony in governance and sustain the development agenda of the state government.

“When someone cannot come through the door, he may want to come through the window. Rivers people must not allow them. Our people must stop them from entering through the window to obstruct the good works of this administration,” Wike stated.

Speaking further on the rerun elections, Governor Wike said that the will of the Rivers people will prevail, adding that the use of security forces and other electoral officials to rig the process will fail woefully.

The governor assured civil servants and pensioners that his administration will continue to pay their salaries and pensions. He said all welfare issues will be given top priority.

He, however, stated that steps will be taken by the administration to verify the actual number of civil servants and pensioners to stop payment to non-existent beneficiaries.

The governor added that the administration will work out modalities to improve the state’s internally generated revenue.

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