Rivers Re-run: Stop instigating violence, INEC tells Wike, others

Ahead of the federal and state legislative re-run polls on December 10 in Rivers State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned the state governor, Nyesom Wike and other political actors to stop making comments that could instigate violence.

The commission however reiterated its determination to conclude the elections in the state in a free, fair, and transparent manner, stressing that the recent Edo and Ondo governorship elections can be replicated if all stakeholders play by the rules.

INEC, in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, further assured that it will remain impartial and committed to conducting credible, fair and transparent elections.

Political actors in state have been making hate speeches against one another and the Commission, ahead of the exercise.

It will be recalled however, that INEC, in obedience to court orders resulting from disputes over the 2015 general elections, conducted re-run elections in Rivers State on 19th March, 2016, to fill various seats in the National and Rivers state House of Assembly.

The outbreak of violence, which culminated in the death of a member of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), forced the Commission to suspend the exercise.

But in a statement on Sunday, Oyekanmi said: “The Commission hereby restates its determination to conclude the elections in Rivers State in a free, fair, and transparent manner on the said Saturday, 10th December 2016. The recent Edo and Ondo governorship elections eloquently speak of the feat that can be achieved if all stakeholders do the needful.

“However, the Commission condemns, in very strong terms, the relentless false allegations, provocative and dangerous comments being made by some political actors, especially the Governor of River State, Mr. Nyesom Wike against the Commission, all of which are capable of inciting people to commit violent acts that could derail the election.

“We appeal to stakeholders to henceforth refrain from making pronouncements that could either overheat the state or instigate their followers to violence. We also appeal to all the political parties and their supporters to abide by all the extant laws governing the electoral process.

“We wish to reassure all Nigerians that the Commission will remain impartial and committed to conducting credible, fair and transparent elections at all times.”