Rivers APC wants panel report on election violence implemented

THE Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the immediate implementation of the report of Justice Chidi Odinkalu panel that investigated the killing of its supporters before, during and after the 2015 general elections.

The state chairman of the party, Davies Ikanya who made the call in Port Harcourt during an interdenominational service in honour of the victims tagged ‘Rivers Black Day,’ recalled that former Governor Chibuike Amaechi empanel the body for the task and submitted its report, expressing worry over the delay in its implementation.

“As part of the honour that can be done to the memories of these innocent citizens, I on behalf of the APC Rivers State demand the implementation of the recommendation of the panel,” he said.

He also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to make good his promise by bringing the “masterminds of these senseless murders to justice.”

Also speaking, the governorship candidate of the party, Dakuku Peterside, described the gathering as paradoxical.

“We are gathered here for a purpose that is paradoxical. We are simultaneously mourning and celebrating our brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short by the inexplicable violence that characterised the general elections in Rivers State in March and April this year. It is violence that has continued till today, merely mutating and transforming – from attacks before and during the general elections, now we suffer kidnappings, armed robberies, and assassinations by persons who are yet to be dispossessed of the guns with which they were “empowered,” he said.

Dakuku added: “Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends were attacked and killed in their homes in cold blood because of their political leanings. ”