The Child Protection Network (CPN) Rivers State say it is concerned about the rising threats of violence and beating of war drums by politicians in the State just days to the governorship and State Assembly elections, billed for Saturday March 9, 2019.
In a statement signed by its Communications Officer, Kote Tombari Dumka, the group expressed worries that similar threats made during the presidential campaign rally of one of the leading political parties in the country, even in presence of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Port Harcourt was made real, resulting to the disruption of public peace, and unwarranted killing of innocent Rivers people and Nigerian’s, leaving their children either motherless or fatherless.
“CPN is most pained by the fact that non of the principal campaigners of violence have been brought to book by law enforcement agents, despite the magnitude of violence witnessed during the February 23, presidential and National Assembly Elections in the State as the Police and other security agents seem handicap to do so.
“While the CPN welcomes the handover of suspects arrested by the Army in connection with the violence that took place during the February 23 election to the police for further investigation and prosecution, we also await the arrest and prosecution of the principal actors and security personnel whom were also reported to have aided politicians to raid collation centers and hijack electoral materials at some already identified local government areas in the State.
“We also demand that the Federal and State Governments takeover the upkeep and education of the children of the victims of the election violence.
“We are concerned about the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and families in communities affected by the politically motivated crisis who children have been deprived from attending school during the period aside other psychological effects, and want to urge heads of security agencies in the State to charge their men to always be apolitical and professional in the discharge of their duties.
“The Network also called on traditional rulers and community people not to see election as warfare, but to always put the interest of their community and children first by not sponsoring or engaging in acts that promote violence in the communities.
While reiterating its call on parents and caregivers to ensure that every child in their care is safe, CPN looks forward to a more credible and violent free election in the State this Saturday March 9, 2019.
