An international observer from the United States, John Bray has called for an end to violence and deaths associated with the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State.
He made the call on Monday while addressing journalists at the Government House in Port Harcourt after a meeting with the Governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.
“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.”
Recall on Saturday that soldiers allegedly unleashed violence on Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state where 15 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members were killed.
The military also, allegedly killed two PDP agents in Emohua Local Government Area.
However, Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government will pursue justice for all those killed in cold blood by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Abonnema and other towns during Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
While addressing Journalist on Monday, Wike had accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of unleashing mayhem on PDP members in the state, using soldiers.
“Let it be known that those who masterminded the murderous assault on Abonnema and other communities in Rivers State last Saturday have bloodstains on their hands, for which they are all answerable before the Almighty God.
“I wish to assure all and sundry that we shall as a government pursue justice for the families of the victims against the perpetrators of the mayhem, killings and destructions in Abonema, Buguma, Degema and other places no matter how powerful they may seem and how long it may take.
“At Okrika, APC thugs snatched election materials from four riverine wards to an unknown destination, also with the support of the army. This same scenario was repeated in parts of Ahoada West, Asari Toru, Emouha Degema, and Opo/Nkoro Local Government Areas of the State.
“Again, in the ensuring confusion and anarchy, the army shot and killed a Youth Corp member as well as an Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s ad hoc staff in Emouha and Degema Local Government Areas respectively.”
“I hereby call on Mr. President to please, in the name of God direct the army to withdraw the occupation and siege on Abonnema and Bonny communities so that the people can go about their normal lives. But, like all well meaning Nigerians, I dare to ask: does the ambition of Mr. President to cling on to power warrant the gruesome and coldblooded murder of innocent souls in Rivers State by the Minister of Transportation and his armed gangs,” the governor said.
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