Few days to the rerun election in Rivers State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned Governor Nyesom Wike against making comments that could instigate his loyalists to cause violence.
The re-scheduled National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) and House of Assembly election will hold next Saturday, Dec. 10, but as preparations are being concluded for the poll, INEC Sunday expressed worry over Wike’s alleged “relentless false allegations, provocative and dangerous comments” capable of inciting people to commit violent acts that could derail the election.
The electoral body also appealed to stakeholders and all the political parties as well as their supporters to refrain from actions that could breach the extant laws governing the electoral process.
The commission in a statement reminded the stakeholders that the elections earlier fixed for July 30, 2016 could not hold following persistent inflammatory comments by political actors and others in the state.
While re-stating its determination to conclude the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner next Saturday, INEC reassured Nigerians of its commitment to remain impartial at all times. “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, INEC 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.”
In his reaction, Governor Wike urged INEC to do the right thing, saying he would continue to speak on the conduct of free and credible poll irrespective of INEC’s warning.
The governor’s spokesman, Simeon Nwakaudu, said that Wike “insists on free, fair and credible elections and for every statement he has made he has facts and figures. For every position he has made public he has clear facts and figures to support them and INEC is aware of them.
“Fake materials were printed here. The people were arrested. INEC has done nothing to facilitate the prosecution of those persons. It has kept quite and allowed the police to sweep the issue under the carpet.
Wike wondered why INEC allegedly failed to respond to allegations that it handed electoral materials to members of the APC.
In obedience to court orders resulting from disputes over the 2015 general elections, INEC conducted a rerun poll in the state on 19 March, 2016, to fill state assemblies. Unfortunately, an outbreak of violence forced the commission to suspend the exercise.
Follow Us