President Muhammadu Buhari has called for peaceful and orderly conduct in the legislative re-run election in Rivers State.
The President urged all political parties, their candidates, other stakeholders and the people of the state to ensure that the federal and state polls were conducted without rigging, violence and intimidation of opponents and electoral officials.
In a statement by Mr Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President reminded politicians and their supporters in Rivers State to put the higher interest of the people of the state in mind, as they go to the polls on December 10.
“The re-run elections should not be seen as a do-or-die affair to the extent that people will be killed, maimed and property destroyed in a mindless display of crude primitive instincts. Innocent blood should never be sacrificed on the altar of political contest for temporary power,” the President warned.
While calling on security and law enforcement agencies to exhibit professionalism and non-partisanship in the discharge of their constitutional duties even in the face of extreme provocations, President Buhari directed them to deal decisively with trouble-makers and those bent on violating the sanctity of the electoral process.
He also enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do all within its powers to give transparency and fairness to the electoral exercise in Rivers State.
The President restated the commitment of his administration to deepening democracy in Nigeria by enthroning a legacy of respect for the wishes of the people through free, fair and credible elections devoid of intimidation and violence throughout the federation.
Allegations And counter-allegations
The call by President Buhari is coming just as critics say comments by political parties, the governor of the State and the Transport Minister, Chibuike Amaechi among others are capable of triggering unrest in the state during the election and after the election.
They have cautioned the parties to guard their utterances to ensure a peaceful process.
Ahead of the election, there have been allegations and counter-allegations from different parties in the election.
While the Governor of the state, Mr Nyesom Wike has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), the electoral body and the police of planning to rig the election in favour of the APC, the APC and the Transport Minister have dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Mr Amaechi has accused the governor and his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party of being behind the killings in Rivers State.
To secure the state during the election, Police have announced a restriction of movement from 12:00 midnight on Friday to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.