APC claims 55 members killed in Rivers’ violence

AHEAD of Saturday governorship poll, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over worsening violence targeted at its supporters in Rivers State, maintaining that so far fifty-five of its supporters have been killed.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside, who addressed journalists separately in Abuja and Port Harcourt respectively, pointed accusing fingers at a governorship candidate and his party for the atrocious acts.

Mohammed alleged that the said candidate and its party, aided by the nation’s security agencies have so far killed about fifty-five APC supporters, aside from maiming dozens of APC loyalists.

He said it was unfortunate that the attacks, arrests and intimidation targeted at APC members and supporters in Rivers have become even more widespread in the run-up to the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Noting that the mindless violence and brigandage would not augur well for free, fair and credible elections in the state, he expressed concern that no one has been held responsible for the dastard act.

Alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have turned themselves into appendages of the said party, Mohammed noted, “Though this marauding started before the March 28th Presidential and National Assembly elections, it has become progressively worse as the Governorship elections approach on Saturday (April 11th).

Also speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt, Dakuku Peterside said, “It may interest you to know that in recent times, APC members have been attacked and killed in local government areas like Asari-Toru, Khana, Onelga, Ikwerre, Eleme, Port Harcourt City and the list continues. Our people are still in shock over the gruesome murder of Chief Christopher Adube, a chieftain of our party in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA). His wife, Madam Adube, has already accused the chairman of the particular political party of ordering the murder of her husband. I have another report that gunmen also killed another five APC supporters and razed the house of another APC chieftain.”

Peterside continued: “Even Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s convoy was attacked at Eliprianwo a few days before the presidential election. After the announcement of the presidential result, we also witnessed another round of killing and attack of our members in different parts of the state. This time around, votes must count. The charade that took place on 28 March in the name of election will not repeat itself. I think we are all in agreement about the need to deliver to the people of Rivers State a free, fair and credible election,” he stated.

Peterside urged the military high command and concerned authorities to work towards returning confidence to the ballot box. According to him, as the country strives towards a new Nigeria with strong institutions, especially security agencies, it is important to emphasize the need for security agencies to be fair to all.

Similarly, Executive Director of Doing Democracy Movement (DDM), Mr. Anyakwee Nsirimovu, also condemned the increasing violence in the state since the beginning of the electioneering campaigns, noting that the murder of former ONELGA council chairman, Christopher Adube, his four children, a driver and others in Obirikom was unpardonable and therefore, backed government’s decision to set up a judicial panel to probe the killings.

“DDM called on the Federal Government to support the institution of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry by the State Executive Council by putting in place a mop-up of small arms and light weapons that litter the streets, communities and creeks of the state and region, since it is easily availability makes its abusive use most possible” he said.

Mohammed added, “Of course, it is needless to say that the collusion of INEC with the particular political party and the police to pave the way for unbridled violence against APC members and supporters, and the subsequent rigging of the elections, was spearheaded by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Rivers, Ms. Gesilia Khan. This issue is already the subject of a very strong petition, which our party has written to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.