Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
Leaders of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately complete the process of the governorship and State Assembly elections by announcing results duly collated from all polling units in the state.
They also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately withdraw his soldiers to allow the election process to be peacefully and credibly concluded.
The Ikwerre Leaders drawn from Ogbakor Ikwerre, Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders Forum, Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers and Okpo Club of Nigeria decried the illegal activities of the soldiers during the elections.
Their position was presented by Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) of Okpo Club during a press conference at the NUJ Press Centre, Port Harcourt yesterday. Other prominent leaders at the conference include: Ochioha Orabule Adele (Ogbakor Ikwerre), Prof. Otonti Nduka (Ogbakor Ikwerre), Prince Paul Wonodi (Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders), Eze Ben Ugo (Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers) and Eze Morgan Amadi ((Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers)
Okocha said, “The President, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari should direct the Chief of Army Staff to immediately withdraw his soldiers to allow the election process to be peacefully and credibly concluded.
“INEC should immediately complete the governorship and House of Assembly elections process by announcing results duly collated from all polling units of Rivers State.”
They called on all Ikwerre sons and daughters in all political parties to immediately refrain from all actions that are exposing the people to insecurity and danger.
They urged all communities in the state to be vigilant to ensure that their communities are not used as theatres of election-related wars and brigandage.
According to the Ikwerre leaders, the negative activities of the soldiers and policemen during the governorship and State Assembly elections appear to be in line with the earlier threats by certain politicians to make the state ungovernable.
