The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared a 3-day prayer and fasting in the state for the peaceful conduct of the rerun legislative election in the state.
The governor, who had earlier stated this on Channels Television’s breakfast programme Sunrise Daily, reiterated the need for the prayer at the flag off of Taaba General Hospital in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Wike said the fasting and prayer had become necessary following the tension already being generated in the run-up to the legislative polls.
This follows comments credited to General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, that Rivers State would continue to make progress as God’s grace is taking effect on the state.
Speaking in Port Harcourt during the Deeper Christian Life Ministry December programme with the theme: “Still Connected in Rivers: An Evening of Freedom and Miracles” Pastor Kumuyi noted that the state would transit into a new phase of growth.
The programme, which had in attendance Governor Wike , his wife, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Banigo, elders, commissioners and special advisers, attracted thousands of Christian faithful from across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Pastor Kumuyi said: “We will continue to pray for Rivers State. There will be peace and progress in Rivers State”.
He prayed God to take supernatural actions in Rivers State that would lead to testimonies across the state.
Addressing the Christian faithful, Governor Wike said the people of the state needed to rejoice because the peace many thought would not reign in Rivers State had been upheld by God.
He said: “We need to rejoice. Those who thought it was impossible to have peace in Rivers State, are now witnesses that God has brought peace to the state.
“To God be the glory. This is the grand finale of this programme in the state for this year. This partnership will continue next year”.
Expressing his belief that prayer and fasting would make the election peaceful, the governor highlighted that the amnesty programme of the state was successful because of the prayers of peace that propelled former cultists and militants to willfully surrender their arms without offer of money.
High point of the programme was a prayer session by Pastor Kumuyi for the December 10 re-run elections.
Tension has continued to build ahead of the election, with allegations and counter-allegations of plans to rig the election.
While Governor Wike claims the All Progressives Congress (APC), security agencies and the electoral body were planning to rig the election the APC has accused Mr Wike of planning to implicate the party.
Mr Wike had claimed that he had a video of a meeting where the plan was made, saying he would make it public in due time.
