Governor Wike said it was unfortunate and painful that a youth corps member died during the 19 March rerun election.  He said an independent investigation and post mortem on the corpse of the corps member must be carried out to ascertain the  type of gun and bullet that killed  him  and those who carried such weapons.

He explained  that  he had to increase the  allowances  of youth corps members serving  in  the  state  in line with  the  present  economic reality. He said funds for the increment  have already  been  approved.  Corps  members serving  in Port Harcourt will receive  N10,000 instead of the N5000  they were getting  while those outside  the  State Capital  will be  paid N15,000 instead  of  N10,000.

“I have told the NYSC, we must know the kind of bullet that killed the Corps member.  We want to know those who killed the Corps member. The death of a Corps member during the rerun is painful. Investigation of his death has been ordered”

The governor noted that majority of the media   reports about violence in the state were politically motivated and negatively   influenced to cast the state in bad light.

“In spite of the bias media tag: ‘Rivers of blood’, our IGR is improving and there is peace in Rivers State. There are no political killings in Rivers State. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA crisis is cult related and is being tackled.”

The governor noted that he has no regret warning those who plotted to rig the polls.

“Election rigging, subverting the will of the people is one of the worst crimes. I don’t regret warning election riggers from rigging elections in Rivers State.

“The strength of PDP is overwhelming in Rivers State and it is evident on the streets. PDP is popular in Rivers State and has won all elections since 1999”, Governor Wike said.

He pointed out that  it was his commitment  to credible  polls  that took him to the Mile One  Police Station where the Ward 10 collation officer who was abducted by  suspected  APC  agents was held.