Tony John, Port Harcourt
The United States Consul-General to Nigeria, John Bray, has called for an end to the violence and deaths associated with the presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State.
Addressing journalists at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday after a meeting with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, the diplomat decried the violence that greeted the polls in some parts of the state.
Unconfirmed reports said soldiers of the 6 Division, the Nigerian Army unleashed violence on Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, where scores of people were killed. The military also killed two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents in Emohua Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
Bray said: “I am here as an international observer. We have been watching elections in Rivers State. I am not here to grade elections or anything like that. I am just here to say that there has been enough violence.
“Enough people have died. I am here today to speak with all the different candidates and party leaders.”