From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has law enforcement agencies in Rivers State re-run elections today, to deal decisively with trouble-makers and those bent on violating the sanctity of the electoral process.
The President 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, stressed that the rerun 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.
The President who called for peaceful and orderly conduct in the federal and state legislative rerun elections in Rivers State today, added that innocent blood should never be sacrificed on the altar of political contest for temporary power”.
The President urged all political parties, their candidates, other stakeholders and the people of the state to ensure that the polls are conducted without rigging, violence and intimidation of opponents and electoral officials. Both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have been engaged in a war of words over alleged plans for violence by one another. The war of words between the two major political gladiators was triggered after the PDP accused the ruling APC in Abuja of working hand in glove with security agencies and INEC to rig the election with a plan to assassinate Governor Nyesome Wike as part of the scheme. The APC, in a sharp response, accused Governor Wike of storing weapons to be used against the people on election day.
In a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari 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 today.
“The rerun 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,” he warned.
The President 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.
He restated the commitment of his administration to deepening democracy in the country 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.